Pittsburgh Steelers Recover Quickly In Corner Market With Patrick Peterson

The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly lost out on their top target when the legal tampering period of NFL free agency began Monday. However, they recovered quickly.

As quickly as a Hall of Fame cornerback might recover after getting beat on a deep route.

The Steelers agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Patrick Peterson on a two-year, $14-million contract. The move came just hours after cornerback Cameron Sutton left the Steelers for the Detroit Lions and a three-year, $33-million deal.

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The Steelers had made re-signing Sutton their top priority in free agency. However, they were unwilling to match the Lions’ lucrative offer.

So, they instead settled for Peterson, a 32-year-old who has built a Hall of Fame-type career during his 12 seasons in the NFL.

Peterson is a three-time All-Pro selection and has been picked to eight Pro Bowls. He also was named to the NFL’s all-decade teams for the 2010s.

Last season, Peterson had five interceptions in helping the Minnesota Vikings win the NFC North. It was the second-highest total of his career after his seven picks for the Arizona Cardinals in 2012, his second season in the league.

Peterson also had 66 tackles in 2022, including three for loss.

Pro Football Focus gave him a season grade of 79.7, which ranked Peterson 12^th among NFL cornerbacks. Sutton was 28^th with a 70.4 grade.

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Sutton had three interceptions last season as the Steelers led the NFL in that category with 20.

Peterson’s contract has $5.85 million guaranteed and fits better with the Steelers’ situation than the $22.5 million in guarantees Sutton received from the Lions.

The Steelers had $10.5 million of cap space prior to Monday. They saved $12.5 million by cutting veteran cornerback William Jackson last week.

The Steelers still have multiple holes to fill on defense. Lineman Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi and Chris Wormley are all free agents along with inside linebackers Devon Bush and Rob Spillane and safeties Terrell Edmunds and Damontae Kazee.