Vikings CB Patrick Peterson still upset at Cardinals 2 years after exit
Oct 30, 2022, 3:15 PM | Updated: 4:13 pm
Minnesota Vikings Cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) during the first quarter of a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals on October 30, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson expressed his displeasure with the Cardinals organization after Minnesota’s 34-26 win against Arizona Sunday afternoon.
Peterson, who spent a decade with the Cardinals and was a three-time All-Pro, said he didn’t appreciate getting fan emails criticizing him printed out and placed at his locker while he was still with Arizona.
The 32-year-old said he received messages meant for owner Michael Bidwill from season ticket holders, one of which threatened to not renew season tickets if Peterson remained on the team.
“Saying I can’t tackle, I’m old, I lost it,” Peterson told reporters postgame.
This one was personal for Patrick Peterson.
“I’ve been told a lot of things about me with the other organization. Getting fan mail from the owner saying that I can’t tackle, I’m old, I lost it.” pic.twitter.com/e1xArBf81T
— Alexis Beckett (@AlexisBeckettTv) October 30, 2022
“That was the mind-boggling thing to me,” Peterson added. “I’m like, ‘What? What did I do to deserve this?'”
Peterson added he’s still waiting for Cardinals general manager Steve Keim to call him after the two sides parted ways after the 2020 season, which he has criticized Keim for in the past. Peterson has said he’s lost respect for Keim.
The former Cardinal took his animosity onto the field, talking to Arizona’s sidelines and players constantly throughout Sunday’s game, which he said was purposeful.
He predicted two interceptions for himself before the matchup, but he said he didn’t say much to his team before the game.
“The DBs in the room, they knew what I was going to be on,” Peterson said.
Peterson made his intentions to send a message clear early, as he and Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury exchanged words after Peterson made a tackle — which was called for horse collar — by the Arizona sideline.
“Anytime you go against your old team, there’s going to be that competitive fire,” Kingsbury said postgame.
Peterson did not come away with a pick, but he had three passes defensed, was flagged twice, mocked Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray with a video game celebration and walked away with a win.
He is now 1-1 against his former team, as Arizona bested Minnesota in Glendale last year, 34-33.
