The Pittsburgh Steelers are about a week into their 2023 training camp, and they have a significant amount of new faces this year. Usually Steeler Nation is excited to see the rookies from the most recent draft class and a few value signing free agents, so this spending spree Omar Khan put on this offseason was very much welcomed.
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Steelers' Omar Khan made several splash moves in his first full offseason as the team's General Manager.
Even though the Steelers added several additions in free agency, and even managed to sign a Pro Bowl linebacker just a couple days ago, they likely had to compete with several teams for the players they added.
For one of the Steelers big-name signings, the choice was easy. That would be All-Pro cornerback, Patrick Peterson.
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Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson during the team's OTAs in 2023.
On Monday, Peterson sat down with Colleen Wolfe and Brian Baldinger of NFL Network, and they asked him what the process of making his decision was like to come join the Black & Gold. He didn't hesitate when answering, saying it was an easy and quick choice for him.
"When my agent gave me the couple teams that was on the radar, I was like Pittsburgh is the spot I want to go. Because I've been wanting to be a part of this great organization for years. My cousin Bryant McFadden came through here, so I've seen him win a couple Super Bowls."
Peterson making a quick decision that Pittsburgh was where he wanted to be allowed Khan and company to strike a deal very early in the free agency process, and allowed them to focus on several other areas of the team.
Peterson having a previous family connection to the Steelers is something that Steeler Nation is very familiar with. Whether it be the Watt family, the Heyward family, the Porter family, the list goes on and on with family connections that ended up on the Steelers roster. Many of those overlapped and were together on the roster at the same time as well.
2023 Wasn't The First Time The Pittsburgh Steelers Made A Run At Peterson
While the Steelers were finally able to make the move to sign Peterson in free agency this season, this is not the first time the connection between Peterson and the Steelers was made. It seemed every since he was drafted, there have been some rumors floating around that the Steelers had their eye on him, and why wouldn't they? Peterson is a three time First Team All-Pro and one of the most recent true lockdown cornerbacks.
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Patrick Peterson lined up against the Steelers top weapon in Antonio Brown during his time with the Arizona Cardinals
Those rumors started becoming actual possibilities when it appeared Peterson's time with the Arizona Cardinals was coming to an end back in 2020 when he started the year being suspended for the first six games. Trade rumors floated around Peterson and the Cardinals, but nothing ever materialized.
Peterson hit free agency in 2021, and the Steelers were listed as suitors back then as well. Unfortunately for both Peterson and the Steelers, the team was extremely cash strapped and were not able to be competitive in bidding for Peterson's services. However, they did add a family face for Peterson that year in Grady Brown, who was Peterson's secondary coach at LSU in 2009. Brown tried to recruit Peterson, and while it didn't work then, it possibly laid the ground work for the Peterson signing this season.
The crew with NFL Network asked Peterson about the connection with Brown, and his response is below.
"Yup that was a huge draw because when, like I said when Grady [Brown] first got the job, he wanted me to be a part of the team then, but obviously it didn't work out. All great things must wait, and I guess this was the defining moment for me to finally be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Also, Coach Tomlin, ya know he was a big draw for me as well."
While at the time, Brown wasn't able to lure Peterson to Pittsburgh likely because of money, that was able to change in 2023 with their spending spree this free agency. The addition of Peterson in 2023 will defintiely have a different look than if he joined the team in 2021.
Peterson has already been taking reps at multiple positions throughout the secondary, and appears to be getting comfortable with being moved around the defense. One thing is for sure, and that is Peterson is a welcomed addition to a Steelers secondary that fans have wanted to see for some time now.
Let us know below what you think about Peterson's addition this offseason, and if you think reuniting with a former defensive backs coach was a smart move for the veteran!
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