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Patrick Peterson wants to play at least three more years, all in Minnesota

chris tomasson, pioneer press
·3 min read

When cornerback Patrick Peterson signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in March 2021, some thought he was coming to Minnesota to play out the string.

That hardly has been the case.

Now in his second season with the Vikings and 12th overall in the NFL, Peterson, 32, has been rejuvenated. He broke up three passes in last Sunday’s 34-26 win over Arizona, his former team. Entering Sunday’s game at Washington, Peterson is rated by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s 10th-best cornerback out of 122.

As far as Peterson is concerned, he’s just getting started in Minnesota. He told the Pioneer Press on Friday he wants to play at least three more seasons to make it 15 for his career — and finish up with the Vikings. He wants to add to his eight Pro Bowls and the five All-Pro nods he had during his 10 seasons with the Cardinals.

“At least one more Pro Bowl, one more All-Pro,’’ said Peterson, whose last Pro Bowl nod was in 2018 and last All-Pro selection in 2015. “That would be a nice, satisfying way for me to end off my career, for sure.”

Whenever Peterson does end his career, he wants it to be in purple.

“No doubt about it,” Peterson said. “I don’t want to go anywhere else. I’m not trying to go anywhere but Minnesota. I love everything around here. I would love to stay put.”

Peterson initially signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Vikings for 2021. He re-signed last March on a one-year deal worth $4 million, and can earn up to $1 million more in incentives. Could he be a candidate next spring for a multi-year from Minnesota? It’s certainly possible.

“I feel like I’m built to last. I’m built to go through any weather, any storm, no matter what the case might be,” Peterson said. “… I’m just very durable. It’s the way I go about my training in the offseason to make sure my body is ready to take the beating. … I feel like if you have the mentality to strive to be the best at all times, I don’t think you ever lose that drive.”

Peterson, all but assured of a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said he has looked at the careers of some hall of fame cornerbacks who had long careers and wants to follow in their path. He pointed to Darrell Green, who played 20 seasons, Charles Woodson, who played 18, and Champ Bailey, who played 15.

Woodson finished his career playing safety, but Peterson said he won’t do that.

“I’m strictly an outside corner, and I feel like I can move well enough,” he said. “When it’s time to change positions, that’s when it’s time for me to retire.”

As for this season, Peterson believes he can make another Pro Bowl and perhaps also All-Pro. “I think I’m playing at a very high level week in and week out,” he said.

Vikings safety Harrison Smith, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, and edge rusher Danielle Hunter, a two-time selection, said Peterson is playing at a Pro Bowl level. And Smith, in his 11th year, has little doubt that Peterson could play another three NFL seasons to make it to 15.

“He can still run and move,” Smith said. “He can play as long as he wants.”

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