Veteran Steelers Cornerback Patrick Peterson Announces Retirement After 13-Year Career

A longtime NFL standout and former Pittsburgh Steelers starter is officially calling it a career. While Patrick Peterson only spent a brief part of his career with the Steelers, he made an immediate impact during his time in black and gold.

Now 34, Peterson announced his retirement earlier this week on Instagram, writing: *“It was nothing like taking flight with the bird gang on Sundays. See you next week @azcardinals.”* The Arizona Cardinals confirmed the news, sharing that Peterson will hold a press conference Monday at 10:30 a.m. to mark the occasion.

Peterson’s career is coming full circle, as he retires with the franchise that drafted him fifth overall in 2011. He quickly became one of the league’s premier defensive backs, earning eight straight Pro Bowl selections from 2011 to 2018. After 10 seasons in Arizona, he spent two years with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Steelers in 2023. He played all 17 games for Pittsburgh that season but was released in March 2024. He remained unsigned afterward.

Over 201 regular-season games, Peterson totaled 36 interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. Though he never won a Super Bowl, his elite consistency, athleticism, and leadership have earned him respect throughout the league—and many believe he has a strong case for the Hall of Fame.

Peterson’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of the most reliable cornerbacks of the past decade, and fans have been quick to express their appreciation for his remarkable career.