Should the Vikings Bring Back Patrick Peterson in 2023?
Josh Frey
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It is imperative that the Minnesota Vikings revamp their defense heading into 2023. After ranking among the bottom three teams in the NFL in terms points allowed, passing yards allowed, total yards allowed, and yards per play allowed, Minnesota has already admitted that their defense needs to be better next season by moving on from Ed Donatell at defensive coordinator.
However, the changes likely won’t stop there. A number of defenders are either hitting free agency this offseason, or they are candidates to be cap casualties with the Vikings sitting a hefty $25.9 million over the salary cap, per Over the Cap.
One such defender is veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, who enters free agency again this offseason. At times, Peterson was one of the few highlights on the defensive side of the ball for the Vikings. He had the most interceptions (5) and pass defenses (15) in a single season since 2012, truly turning back the clock during his age-32 season.
A number of these plays showed up in clutch situations, including his game-sealing interception against the Buffalo Bills to secure Minnesota’s 17-point second half comeback win.
But do these clutch plays warrant the Vikings bringing Peterson back again in 2023, especially if it means he’s playing a major role once again? On one hand, Peterson can be a stabilizing veteran presence in the secondary, but on the other, he’s certainly getting up there in age and could very well see a regression next season.
Back in January, Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team penned Peterson’s future as the Vikings biggest decision of the offseason. As Meirov points out, the Vikings veteran CB is the oldest starting cornerback in the league, but his production was on par with some of the best.
Ultimately, Minnesota’s decision on Peterson probably comes down to three factors:
- Season goals
- Peterson’s contract demands
- Other offseason acquisitions
The Vikings have a few young defensive backs such as Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans that they may want to see more of during 2023 in order to get a better sense of where they are at. Minnesota could also have eyes on a few other free agent cornerbacks that are younger and less of a risk for regression.
The biggest factor, though, remains Peterson’s exact demands for his next contract. He played on a 1-year/$4 million contract in 2022, but there could be a disagreement between the two sides as to what the veteran CB is actually worth heading into 2023.
Peterson has a strong argument for a raise next season despite his age, but as aforementioned, the Vikings have limited cap space as it is and probably shouldn’t spent exorbitant amounts of it on an aging cornerback with how many needs they have.
If Minnesota can run it back with Peterson somewhere in the ballpark of another one-year deal for $5-7 million, it is logical that they would bring him back next season. His value on the field spoke for itself in 2022, but his locker room presence is also something to take into account here. With how young the Vikings secondary is, that is a stabilizing force that should not be overlooked.
Josh Frey’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft (1.0)
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.