Patrick Peterson is ending his NFL career where it started.
Peterson, 34, is set to be in Arizona on Monday to retire as a member of the Cardinals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The news comes just days after the cornerback, who last played with the Steelers in 2023, alluded to the return through a series of Instagram videos showcasing his time on the Cardinals.
One of his videos carried the caption: “It was nothing like taking flight with the Bird Gang on Sundays. See you next week @azcardinals.”
Peterson was drafted by the Cardinals with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and spent 10 seasons of his 13-year career with the team.
During his time with Arizona, Peterson was named an all All-Pro three times and was selected as a Pro Bowler during each of his first eight seasons.
Peterson’s run with the Cardinals as one of the most dominant cornerbacks in the league ultimately saw him named as a member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team.
The LSU alum left Arizona and signed with the Vikings in free agency ahead of the 2021 season.
After spending two seasons in Minnesota, Peterson played for the Steelers in 2023.
He was cut before the 2024 season and did not sign elsewhere for last season.
Ahead of last season, Peterson told reporters that he was willing to make a position change to continue his career.
“Well, that’s always kind of been my motto, even when I was a young pup coming into the league when I never really had that opportunity to showcase my different talents,” Peterson said in 2024 about potentially playing safety. “But with the Pittsburgh Steelers and coach Tomlin gave me that opportunity to do that, and I feel like I excelled at the position pretty well, so I am that guy that’s willing to play wherever, whenever, however you need me to play in order to help this defense be successful.”
Peterson finishes his career with 36 interceptions, 122 pᴀsses defended and 652 tackles in 201 games, making a strong case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
