Over the next few weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be assessing every position, and Patrick Peterson is a name that might influence their secondary, whether it be a return or a release.
Peterson plans to make a comeback for the 2024 season, which he thinks might be his final one. With a $10 million salary cap hit, he may be eligible for release, but he is willing to stay as long as one thing is met. Peterson said that he is prepared to play for Pittsburgh again this season, but he won’t have a single position on the club during a recent episode of his podcast All Things Covered.
“You know I want to (keep playing). The question is if the Steelers want me to finish with them,” Peterson said. “Me and Coach Tomlin had a great conversation after the season. Obviously, I know that you have to go through your evaluations in the draft and free agency and things like that, but for me, what I was able to do in Year 13 playing different positions, coming into a new environment. I felt my season was very successful playing 97 percent of my snaps…As you saw this year, I’m open to playing wherever, whenever. Wherever I can be to help the team, I’m all for it. Except for the bench.”
Playtime for the former Steeler
It’s unlikely that Peterson, who will cost $10 million, would sit the bench in 2024; given his experience, Pittsburgh will probably try to keep him in the game. Where would be a better question to ask. After playing safety in the latter half of the season to cover for injuries, Peterson may be switched to the position full-time in the upcoming campaign. If Peterson does decide to move, the Steelers may also search for a new starting cornerback to partner with Joey Porter Jr.
In any case, it’s difficult to picture Peterson as a reserve player. Even while he might not start as many games as he did in 2023, he will undoubtedly play a big part in the defense.