Former Steelers Cornerback Bryant McFadden Confident In Patrick Peterson's Late Career Resurgence

The Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest free agent signing in the frenzy of moves made by General Manager Omar Khan was the addition of Patrick Peterson. The 33-year-old was a star for the Arizona Cardinals for many years before it looked like he was starting to slow down in 2019. In 2021, after almost landing with the Steelers, he joined the Minnesota Vikings and started to enjoy a resurgence as a top cornerback in the league as he began to enter his 30s. Former Pittsburgh cornerback Bryant McFadden thinks the rejuvenation will continue for his cousin, as he sports his old number 20 in the Black and Gold. 

In addition to being Peterson's cousin, McFadden and the two-time AP All-Pro as a cornerback co-hosts the popular All Things Covered podcast where they often talk quite a bit about the Steelers and have Pittsburgh guests. On Thursday morning, McFadden joined The Cook and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan with only Joe Starkey, as Ron Cook enjoys some vacation time. Starkey quizzed the two-time Super Bowl champion on his expectations for the team in 2023 and specifically wondered what he thinks his podcast partner has left in the tank. 

"This is a guy who is still in good shape," he said about Peterson. "And mentally, his above-the-shoulder game is still real sharp."

He highlighted what Peterson was able to do last year in Minnesota. He said when he was talking to Head Coach Mike Tomlin about the signing, Tomlin was a big fan of what Peterson had put on tape in 2022. He collected five interceptions, which placed him in a group of players tied for the second most interceptions in the league. Peterson also registered 15 pass breakups, which was tied for the fifth most leaguewide. 

He missed the lowest percentage of tackles (4.3%) in 2022, which was the best he's had since Pro Football Reference started using the stat in 2018. In addition, he posted the highest total tackles (66) in his career. 

While his return to a high level of play on the field is certainly an attractive reason for bringing him in, the organization had some other motivations. Peterson will be a mentor to the young players on the roster and has already expressed a willingness to help out anyone who asks him.

The other reason Pittsburgh brought him in is the ability to move around in the defense. McFadden echoed what Tomlin and Peterson have both been saying about his potential to play multiple roles, in addition to his traditional spot at outside cornerback. 

Steelers' McFadden Says Peterson's Fire For A Championship Makes It A Slam Dunk Signing

Peterson has only played in four playoff games as he enters year number 13. He and the Vikings couldn't get past the New York Giants in the 2022 NFC Wild Card round and he's still hungry to end his career with a Super Bowl ring said McFadden.

"It's safe to say that he's had a Hall of Fame-like career, but he's still chasing that sticky Lombardi," McFadden said. "With that motivation and him still being athletically sound enough to do what he's called to do, that's why you shouldn't be worried."

As Peterson tries to help the Steelers break free from their own postseason demons and snap their streak of no playoff wins since 2017, he will also be attempting to get his first playoff victory since 2016. 

Peterson and the Cardinals, under former Steelers Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, finished the season 13-3 and won the NFC West. That set up a date with the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Divisional game. The Cardinals squeaked out an overtime win over Aaron Rodgers and company after the Packers had scored a field goal in the dying seconds to send the game to overtime. 

In the conference final against the Carolina Panthers, the Cardinals got the doors blown off them and their Super Bowl aspirations dashed. Cam Newton threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns while adding a pair on the ground to trounce the Cardinals 49-15. 

The Steelers and Peterson will look to avenge their postseason failures in 2023 and hopefully get Peterson a shot at a championship to add to his Hall-of-Fame-like resume.