By the numbers: Patrick Peterson’s special run with the Arizona Cardinals
Mar 21, 2021, 11:16 AM
Cornerback Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates in the end zone his interception of a pass by quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Patrick Peterson era for the Arizona Cardinals came to an end on Thursday when it was reported the 10-year veteran was signing with the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson’s decade in the desert brought some incredible highs and lows and he will undoubtedly go down as one of the best cornerbacks and punt returners in the history of the franchise.
Looking back at his career stats, the numbers speak for themselves.
Here are a few of the most impressive stats on Pat P’s resume:
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PRO BOWL PAT
Peterson was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL. He is tied for ninth among active players in total Pro Bowl selections. For context, Larry Fitzgerald has made 11 Pro Bowls in 17 seasons.
ALL-PRO PAT
Peterson was selected to the All-Pro First Team three times in his first five seasons. In his rookie season, he was selected as a kick returner and punt returner. He beat Chicago Bears return legend Devin Hester for the first team spot at both positions.
PAT PICKS PASSES
With 28 career interceptions, Peterson sits tied at 246th all-time, ninth among active players and sixth in Cardinals’ history. He has made at least one interception in each of his 10 seasons in the NFL.
PUNT RETURN PAT
Peterson’s rookie season might go down as one of the best seasons ever for a punt returner in the NFL. He returned four punts for touchdowns and finished the season with 699 punt return yards, including this game-winning return in overtime against the St. Louis Rams.
PAT’S RECORDS
Peterson’s four punt returns in a single season ties him for the NFL record with Hester, Jack Christiansen and Rick Upchurch. His 99-yard game winner is a record for a punt return in overtime and a Cardinals’ franchise record for longest punt return ever. His 699 punt return yards that season is still a franchise record.
PLAYOFF PAT
Peterson only played in three playoff games for the Cardinals, but he made them count. The corner had one interception for 72 yards in the NFC Championship game against the Panthers in 2005. Not well known as a tackler, the corner had nine tackles in three playoff games for Arizona.
IRON PAT
Through his 10 years in the Valley, Peterson has played in all 16 games in the regular season nine times. The only time he missed was in 2019 when he was suspended six games for using PEDs. Peterson has been a reliable fixture for a defense that has seen four different head coaches and five different defensive coordinators during Peterson’s tenure.
