Patrick Peterson‘s Steelers stay may end up being capped at one season. After cutting Keanu Neal on Thursday, the Steelers are moving on from the All-Decade defensive back.
Pittsburgh is cutting Peterson, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. This always loomed as a possibility due to the accomplished cornerback’s age and contract. Peterson signed a two-year, $14MM deal that came with less than $6MM guaranteed. The Steelers will pick up $6.85MM in cap savings by making this move.
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Coming to Pittsburgh after two seasons in Minnesota, Peterson played both corner and safety for his third NFL team. Injuries prompted the Steelers to try Peterson as a regular safety, and while it will be interesting to see if that is a consideration for the aging DB going forward, he appears to no longer be in the team’s plans. The Steelers will center their cornerback corps around 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. A younger complement to Porter is expected to arrive this offseason.
Peterson reached the 200-start plateau during his season in Pittsburgh, making 16 starts and playing in every game for the team. The former Cardinals star has displayed durability in his 30s, and he provided a Steelers team missing multiple pieces at safety some help as it crafted a late-season playoff push. Peterson intercepted two passes and broke up 11 more last season. Pro Football Focus still rated the ex-Cardinals and Vikings starter outside the top 80 among corners. Peterson allowed a 91.5 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage — up from his two Minnesota marks.
Peterson’s 200 starts rank seventh among corners in NFL history. Four of the players in front of him (Darrell Green, Ronde Barber, Champ Bailey, Ken Riley) are in the Hall of Fame; the eight-time Pro Bowler is likely to join them in Canton down the line.
The Steelers will need to come up with a new Porter supporting cast. Levi Wallace played out a two-year deal, and Chandon Sullivan and James Pierre are also unsigned. Peterson was set to earn $3.85MM in base salary and count $9.8MM against Pittsburgh’s 2024 cap. With Peterson’s deal moving off the books, the Steelers are set to hold more than $15MM in cap space. It is likely the AFC North team will create some more room ahead of free agency.
I could see PP playing 2024 on a 1-year $2.5-$3m deal as a safety. He wasn’t bad in that role, but unfortunately showed his age at corner at times.
The Steelers do realize that they need 9-10 DBs and at present have about 3 that can actually cover? Asking for a concerned fan…who also might be me….just cut everyone apparently
Yeah. You’re right. Makes me wonder about how some say they are just a QB away. Yes, they need a QB but the secondary, inside linebacker, D-line and O-line need addressed, too
Much more than a QB away sadly. The defense is overpaid and older, the offense is young and arrogant, and the special teams is decent outside of the (finally cut) punter.
Hmm, I wonder if any of this could also be a coaching issue? But nobody ever seems to mention that, so they?
I have no strong opinion about Tomlin either way. I know that sounds wimpy but to me, most professional coaches fall somewhere in the middle. There are greats (few) and guys over their heads
Guess my complaint is the number of misfires they’ve made with personnel. I know Steelers fans are spoiled. There aren’t many Troys. Or James Harrison’s. Or Roethlisbergers or AB’s
It just seems that the great majority of guys they’ve brought in via free agency or the draft haven’t excelled.
I think a coach would be wasted on Peterson because the guy never stops running his mouth long enough to hear what others might be saying.
Draft, free agency are still in their infancy. I wouldn’t worry in March id worry in July/august
I figure we pick up a CB in the first 3 rounds of the draft, but there’s a strong argument that OL and DL should be the first 2 picks (if not 3). So then, are you expecting a 3rd or 4th round corner to step in and start either in the slot or on the outside?
We could grab someone in free agency but that’s going to be pricey.
Hey bucsfan: PIT may want to grab a CB in the 1st round. I think there is going to be some really good options available for OT or IOL in the 2nd. In the 3rd Round LB or DL.
CB: Nate Wiggins out of Clemson in the 1st.
OT: Patrick Paul from Houston in the 2nd.
LB: Cedric Grey from North Carolina or maybe DL: Leonard Taylor from Miami in the 3rd.
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As always Thank You for reading.
I have a feeling the Steelers are going to sign a starting DL or ILB in free agency to push those needs down the draft board. Then go with a CB and OL in the first two rounds again this year.
This is a very rich cornerback draft class. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them grab more than one.
Ageing DB’s aren’t much use to anyone. NFL WR’s are fast. A slow DB will look like a college DB trying to cover speedsters. Strength and endurance can hold up or even improve to the late thirties, speed no. Slowing WR with good route running and great hands can hold their own. DB’s no.
Should make a full time switch to safety if he wants to pro long his career. Could be very good for a few seasons in the right system.
I would have been fine with Peterson returning to the Steelers, and still would be. He was much better in the second half of the season once he became more of a hybrid player and stop trying to be a full time outside CB.
But if this is being done to help free up money to sign, say, Mitch Morse, that would be a better allocation of resources.
I am high on a Mitch Morse signing as well
Him being available has changed my whole perception of the draft now.
If Kahn can get him signed that could allocate draft assets in other areas