EAGAN, Minn. -- Cornerback Patrick Peterson’s first choice in free agency was to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings. It didn’t work out.
Peterson, who played the past two seasons for Minnesota and is bound one day for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said on his “All Things Covered” podcast Monday that he will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.
“No doubt about it, I definitely wanted to go back to Minnesota,” Peterson said on the podcast he co-hosts with cousin and a former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden. “I even before I made the decision to … plan on signing with Pittsburgh, (said), ‘Are you sure?’ I wanted to come back. We just can’t make it happen.”
The Vikings have salary-cap issues, and while Peterson, who played last season on a one-year, $4 million deal, didn’t address any monetary specifics on the podcast, he did say it came down to business.
“It was all clean, good, adult, men business,” Peterson said. “That’s how it was supposed to be. It wasn’t curveballs. It was how it was supposed to be, and I can’t do nothing but appreciate that.”
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Peterson played with the Arizona Cardinals from 2011-20, and made eight Pro Bowls there. He joined the Vikings in 2021 on a one-year, $8 million deal before re-signing with them last March. He was vocal about wanting to come back for a third year until Monday.
“I got nothing but love for the Skol nation,’’ Peterson said. “Everybody in that Minnesota community, they just took me in with open arms. I felt like it was home. It really did. … I thank Minnesota for giving me an opportunity to come there and showcase my talent.”
With the Vikings no longer an option, an opportunity with the Steelers emerged.
“It was kind of out of left field,” Peterson said. “My agent was doing his job. He was calling around to see what teams wanted to have me in their locker room.”
Peterson was thrilled when the Steelers made an offer. ESPN reported he will sign a two-year deal, although Peterson said on his podcast he still must “iron out” details.
“They’re always in position to win ball games,’’ Peterson said. “Pittsburgh is one of the more storied franchises in the league.”
Peterson said he hopes to finish his career in Pittsburgh. He will turn 33 in July.
“The proof is in the pudding,’’ he said. “I know I can still ball.”
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Peterson started all 17 games last season for the Vikings at left cornerback. Minnesota last Friday waived Cameron Dantzler, who started nine games in 2022 at right cornerback, and he was claimed Monday by Washington.
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