Patrick Peterson 'At Peace' with Entering Final Year of Cardinals Contract

Cornerback Patrick Peterson has done everything he can to make the Arizona Cardinals defense successful. Over his nine years in the desert, he's been an eight-time Pro Bowler, a three-time first-team All-Pro and made the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2010s. 

Just how much longer he'll continue to produce in Arizona is up to the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old told told Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com that he's "at peace" playing this season on an expiring contract.

"I'm at peace [with the contract]. There's nothing I can do about it. I'm under contract until the end of the season. All I can do right now is play ball. The ball is in my court. All I have to do is go out and play P2 football, playing all-around solid football, taking No. 1s out of the game, not giving up any touchdowns, just getting back to that form."

Peterson is heading into the final season of his five-year, $70 million deal. Spotrac estimates his market value to be $34.3 million over a three-year deal, or $11.4 million per season.

The Cardinals have shown a willingness to spend big money on key players this offseason, giving wideout DeAndre Hopkins a two-year, $54.5 million extension and safety Budda Baker a four-year, $59 million extension, but the lack of a new contract for Peterson remains an issue. After a down year in 2019, Arizona may want to see more from the cornerback before handing him a new agreement. 

Peterson was suspended for six games after violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy and took a bit more time than expected to get up to game speed. He finished the 2019 season with 53 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a sack in 10 games. 

Typically more of a ballhawk in the secondary, Peterson said he's coming into the 2020 season with a renewed intensity.

"I'm just extremely focused in getting back to where I belong and where I am accustomed to being, and that's on top of the game. I had a little boo-boo last year, that's behind me now, and now I'm just extremely focused on the future. I believe there are a lot of great things in store for this defense and myself.

"You hear the chatter. You hear what people are saying. Being a wily vet, a seasoned vet, it goes in one ear and out the other. But for sure, I love proving people wrong. This is going to be a big year for me. I feel like my back is against the wall. That's when I operate at my best."

Arizona's coaching staff assuredly wants Peterson to have that type of mentality. His future with the Cardinals depends on whether he can back it up.