Steelers Potential Reunion With Patrick Peterson Now Given A Timetable

The Pittsburgh Steelers have many needs heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. A few positions, such as center, offensive line, and wide receiver, have been getting a lot of attention, while other needs, like cornerback and defensive tackle, have been overshadowed. That could be because General Manager Omar Khan made more moves during this offseason for defensive players than many expected. 

The Steelers signed linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott. They also acquired cornerback Donte Jackson from the Carolina Panthers in the Diontae Johnson trade. However, Jackson alone doesn't necessarily fill the Steelers' need for a cornerback to partner with second-year player Joey Porter Jr. 

After the release of veteran Patrick Peterson following only one season, the hole in the roster got even bigger. Levi Wallace is a free agent, and there has been no word that the Steelers are seeking to bring him back. Cory Trice Jr., who suffered a devastating injury in 2023, is a huge question mark. It is unclear how his recovery has gone; frankly, no one saw enough of him to know how he will perform in the NFL. 

Peterson has been very vocal about his desire to return to Pittsburgh. He said that playing at least 14 seasons is his goal, and he desperately wants that final season to be in black and gold. He added that Head Coach Mike Tomlin led him to believe the door was still open for him to return. Peterson is not the only person who sees this as a possibility. Recently, on 93.7 The Fan, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette told Joe Starkey that he agrees with Peterson, and a return could happen. 

"One of the moves they could make, and I think this is likely to come after the draft, would be, and let's say the Steelers don't get a cornerback high, let's revisit the Patrick Peterson thing. Let's see if Patrick Peterson wants to come back and be the slot corner," Fittipaldo said.

The Steelers used Peterson in various ways during 2023. With injuries on the defense, he played all over the secondary and even safety. Peterson has said that he is once again willing to be flexible, but won't start at safety. He said he appreciated that Pittsburgh attempted to draw on his natural athleticism. That positivity and willingness could be something that makes his return even more possible, even though he will want to primarily contribute as a cornerback.

"You don't really want to do that until after the draft," Fittipaldo added. "You don't want to sign him if you go and get a guy in the second or third round. I think they're in that boat with a lot of positions. I think you can characterize center the same way."

Peterson is widely considered one of the best cornerbacks of his era. The Arizona Cardinals drafted him fifth overall in 2011. During his time in the league, he has been to eight Pro Bowls and was named a First-Team All-Pro three times. 

He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in 2021 and played for them for two seasons before coming to Pittsburgh. Peterson was a solid defensive player in 2023 and was Porter's mentor. He had two interceptions and broke up 11 passes with 42 combined tackles. Even though Father Time is catching up to Peterson, it is hard to deny that he was an asset. 

Steelers' Patrick Peterson Saying In Shape And Waiting For The Phone To Ring

Peterson has been pitching in on the media circuit this offseason. He is not only filming his own podcast, All Things Covered, with his cousin and former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden, but he has been popping up on other shows. He did a stint on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, filing in for Angry Run Awarder Kyle Brandt. 

While Peterson has said that he would be willing to be a hybrid player again in 2024, on a recent podcast, NFL on Fox, he said that if he is playing straight safety, he might need some notice. He shared that it is just a different kind of conditioning to be that "last line of defense."