5 Vikings who could be entering final season with the team in 2022
By Dean Jones
Patrick Peterson – CB
After sitting on the free-agent market for a few weeks, the Minnesota Vikings and Patrick Peterson agreed on a new one-year deal that will keep him around. This is tremendous news for a cornerback unit that does look a little thin on the ground, which is something those in power need to address early in the 2022 NFL Draft, in all likelihood.
Peterson provides the experience and locker room presence that will be a real asset to new head coach Kevin O’Connell. The former All-Pro had his moments of struggle in 2021, but there was far more good than bad, and the fact he comes with just a $3.1 million salary-cap hit made this a no-brainer.
It doesn’t appear as if Peterson is ready to hang up his cleats just yet. However, cornerbacks do tend to fall off a cliff quicker than most, so it will be interesting to see how the LSU product performs in the face of some stiff competition.
Should Peterson struggle or lose a step, then it might be his last season in Minnesota. Especially if the Vikings find themselves a top college prospect this spring and Cameron Dantzler continues to make encouraging strides.
Peterson is experienced enough to know all this. And whatever happens next season, he remains well on course for a potential Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in the coming years.