Schlereth: Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson’s trade request was honest

Since requesting a trade from the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the Oct. 30 NFL trade deadline, cornerback Patrick Peterson has settled back into his role as the leader of the team’s secondary.

Arizona has shown signs of growth on both sides of the field and are hoping to build positive momentum coming off of a victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Still, Peterson’s trade request left an unsettled feeling amongst fans who were heartbroken to learn of the All Pro’s desire to leave the Valley of the Sun.

Former NFL guard and current radio analyst Mark Schlereth provided some insight into a player’s mindset when faced with a scenario like Peterson’s when he joined Bickley & Marotta on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station Wednesday.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and there’s frustration,” Schlereth said. “There comes a time in every player’s life where you look at it and say ‘man I want to win.’”

At the time of his request, Arizona dropped all but one of its first seven games of the season including four double-digit blowout losses. For a star player performing at the peak of his abilities, taking consistent losses has to take a mental toll.

Schlereth believes Peterson’s trade request came from a place of honesty.

“I found it to be an honest assessment of where he is and what he’s feeling right now,” Schlereth said. “When you’re one of the best that’s ever played the position in any era and you don’t see light at the end of the tunnel, I can see where you want a chance to compete, you want a chance to win.”

Peterson has since rescinded his trade request and is committed to bringing the Cardinals back to the forefront of the NFC, but there’s an expiration date on Peterson’s excellence.