The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with free-agent cornerback Patrick Peterson, a source confirmed to The Athletic.
Peterson, 30, played 10 seasons for the Cardinals and received eight Pro Bowl invitations. He played 99 percent of the Cardinals snaps and had three interceptions during the 2020 season.
This story will be updated.
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How Peterson fits in Minnesota
Chad Graff, Vikings beat writer: For the first time in Zimmer’s tenure, the Vikings were a mess on defense last season. The unit ranked 29th in points allowed and 30th in net yards per pass attempt. Zimmer attempted to revamp the Vikings’ cornerback crew last year, drafting Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney while letting established veterans walk. The two rookies had some success, but the Vikings badly lacked depth and star power at the position. Peterson fixes that.
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The addition likely also allows the Vikings to play their corners at their natural positions, too. Peterson can play opposite Dantzler on the outside, while Gladney slides into his customary spot in the slot. Plus, Zimmer will value the mentoring that Peterson can provide to the pair of corners preparing for their second year in the league.
Big picture
Graff: It’s clear now that the Vikings’ top priority this week was to improve Zimmer’s defense. In order to help the run defense, they agreed to a deal with Dalvin Tomlinson. In order to help the pass defense, they added Peterson. He’ll be a Day 1 starter, and if Dantzler improves as the Vikings hope, they’ll boast two above-average corners on the outside.
The Vikings’ secondary isn’t completely settled, since they still need a safety to play opposite Harrison Smith. But just adding Peterson is a big step in the right direction for a secondary that got picked apart last season.
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY)