Peterson, 8-time Pro Bowler, retires as Cardinal

TEMPE, Ariz. — Cornerback Patrick Peterson retired from the NFL on Monday as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, the team that selected him fifth overall in the 2011 draft.

Peterson, 34, was honored at the team’s practice facility Monday with a highlight video and tributes from several former teammates, including receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer.

Peterson spent 10 of his 13 seasons with the Cardinals, leaving after the 2020 season for the Minnesota Vikings. After two seasons in purple and gold, Peterson played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 but did not play in 2024.

“I’m announcing that I am retiring a Cardinal officially.” pic.twitter.com/1rw3UJsaQk

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 14, 2025

He went to eight straight Pro Bowls with the Cardinals, from his rookie year in 2011 through 2018. He also was a three-time first-team All-Pro.

Peterson developed a reputation as a dominant, lockdown cornerback for most of his career, which allowed Arizona to leave Peterson on an island while committing the resources of the 10 other defenders elsewhere.

He had 36 interceptions in 201 career games, returning two for touchdowns. He also returned 195 punts for 1,816 yards and four touchdowns, all of which came as a rookie, and returned four kickoffs for 75 yards.

Peterson made headlines in 2018 when he asked for a trade. However, two days later, he walked back his request, saying he was just frustrated. After the season, Peterson said he would honor his contract, which ran through the 2020 season. He went to Minnesota as a free agent.

However, his discontent with the organization wasn’t quieted when he left Arizona.

Following a Vikings win over the Cardinals in 2022 in Minneapolis, Peterson made his feelings toward the Cardinals clear, sharing that disparaging emails were left on his chair during the 2020 season with the Cardinals and noting that, at that point, he still hadn’t talked with former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, who chose not re-sign Peterson.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.