Patrick Peterson dismisses 'dirty rumor' that he and Cardinals have agreed to part ways

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Cardinals and cornerback Patrick Peterson mutually agreed to part ways this offseason, allowing the unrestricted free agent to get a fresh start to his career. But that development appeared to be news to Peterson himself, as the eight-time Pro Bowler said that there was no truth to the "dirty rumor" that he was not returning to Arizona.

"Honestly, there's no real update," Peterson said on the "All Things Covered Podcast," which he co-hosts with former NFL corner Bryant McFadden. "It is just what you said it was, a dirty rumor. I woke up to it this morning, as well. Me and the team haven't talked anything about contracts, haven't talked about parting ways. So that's just what it is, it's a dirty rumor. I don't know where [Matt] got his report from."

Now, this does not necessarily mean that Peterson is 100& staying with the Cardinals, just that it has not been determined one way or another. Considering that the five-time First-Team All-Pro has spent his entire career in Arizona, there could certainly be interest in the two sides staying together.

However, it is also possible that Peterson or the Cardinals (or both) are interested in moving on. While Peterson has put together a Hall of Fame-level career over the course of 10 seasons, many feel his best days are behind him and that his level of play has dropped over the last few years. And while the Cardinals have a promising young quarterback in Kyler Murray, Peterson may be in a win-now mode that might make joining a contender a more attractive prospect.