Steelers' Patrick Peterson Opens Up About Shocking Phone Call With Mike Tomlin: "Door May Still Be Open"

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced recently that they were releasing cornerback Patrick Peterson after only one season with the organization. Peterson just finished his 13th season in the league, after being brought in during 2023 from the Minnesota Vikings. The eight-time Pro Bowler proved to be a versatile leader on defense, filling in weak areas and helping then-rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. with his development.

Now, Peterson is sharing that he was caught off guard by the call from the Steelers. He co-hosts a podcast called All Things Covered with his cousin, who is also a former Steelers cornerback, Bryant McFadden. On a recent episode, McFadden asked Peterson about being released from the team. 

"It was a shocking phone call, just coming off a break, but then I had an opportunity to talk to Coach [Mike] Tomlin, we had some great dialogue and an opportunity to really talk because like I said, I was just getting off a cruise, so I didn't have time to talk to him and see what came into the decision. Then later on, I had an opportunity, me and Coach Tomlin to get on the phone and talk about some things and the door may still be open," shared Peterson.

Peterson said he told Head Coach Mike Tomlin that he would really like to return to the Steelers. He considered it a privilege and an honor to play for such a storied franchise. He added that he appreciated the team giving him a shot during 2023.  

He said it gave him a chance to let Tomlin know that he isn't looking for contracts that break the bank at this point. Peterson, who has been considered one of the best to play the position during his career, is just chasing a championship. He told McFadden his goal remains to win a Super Bowl and he feels the Steelers have a shot. He also promoted how he could still be an asset to the team. 

"We don't have any other corners on the roster that's healthy, that's under contract. I'm not taking credit for Joey [Porter Jr.], Joey is Joey. Joey's going to be a great player, but I was in Joey's shoes before. I was once Joey, following the number one guys, understanding that responsibility, how important that responsibility is, how there are no days off with that responsibility. I want to be able to help Joey, help his career continue to flourish. Joey can be so special, but he has no one there that can help him get to where he wants to go."

McFadden said that the Steelers are now amid free agency and of course, have the draft coming up. It will be interesting to see what the team chooses to do with the cornerback position. He asks Peterson if he would be willing to play safety, a role that he was thrust into at times during the 2023 season, and he says yes. He doesn't believe he should be a starting safety, but he has always been willing to help out the defense in any way he can. 

Peterson said he made sure Tomlin understood that it has always been his goal to spend 14 productive years in the NFL and he would take a pay cut to get that last season, that last shot at a Lombardi Trophy. 

"I can be your second and third corner and your nickel for sure because we don't have a nickel on the roster. I know the defense, I understand what we need to do. If that's going to come down to the pay cut, I'll take the pay cut, that's not a problem to me. It is not about the money at this point, I just want to have an opportunity to win a championship."

It will be up to Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan now. Peterson has pled his case to the organization and that might be all he can do. The release of Peterson didn't come as a shock to nearly anyone but Peterson. While he was an excellent leader last season on defense, he just isn't that player the Arizona Cardinals drafted years ago. 

Steelers Have To Find Multiple Cornerback Solutions

While the release of Peterson may not have come as much surprise to fans, it does make a hole in the roster even bigger. Peterson isn't wrong about the need for corners in 2024. That has many speculating about how the Steelers will fill those holes. Will they target a cornerback in the draft, free agency, or both?

Peterson is currently not on the roster, and he could easily be picked up by another team. Levi Wallace is also a free agent, so his future is uncertain. Cory Trice Jr., who suffered a devasting injury in 2023, feels like a huge question mark. It is not clear how he has recovered physically, nor did anyone get a shot at adequately assessing his abilities. 

Unfortunately, cornerback is far from the team's only need. They will also need to look at inside linebackers and the offensive line as priorities this offseason. This could make Peterson returning as a backup a real possibility. 

Are you surprised Peterson was surprised he was released? Do you think the Steelers would bring him back? Click to comment below.

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