Patrick Peterson - CB (Pittsburgh Steelers)
It was pretty shocking when Patrick Peterson signed with the Vikings in 2021. A multi-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro, most assumed Peterson was going to be out of Minnesota's price range. But the two sides were able to work out a deal, and he ended up remaining with the team until this past offseason.
This year, the veteran corner elected not to return to the Vikings, and he wound up signing a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the Steelers this season, Peterson has been okay, but he's not being paid an average annual salary of $7 million to just be okay out on the field.
In 14 games for Pittsburgh this year, the former Minnesota cornerback has accumulated 36 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and only one interception. Heading into Week 16, Peterson has the 68th-best defensive grade from PFF this season, much lower than the ninth-best defensive grade he finished with in 2022.
It seems like the Vikings moved on from the All-Pro cornerback at exactly the right time.