Did Patrick Peterson Sign With Pittsburgh Because Of Mike Tomlin?
Patrick Peterson is going to be suiting up for the Steelers in 2023 after agreeing to a free agent contract with Pittsburgh this offseason. Peterson, 32, will now suit up for his third NFL team after previously having stops in Arizona and Minnesota. So what made the veteran corner decide on Pittsburgh as his next landing stop? It turns out it may have had a lot to do with their head coach, Mike Tomlin.
“My plan is to take my talents to the Steel Curtain,” Peterson said. “I grew up watching all the greats there. Obviously love coach Mike Tomlin and what he brings to the table. And just how consistent he is. How consistent the defense is. How consistent his team is year in and year out. They’re always in position to win ball games. Always been a big fan of how Mike T teams were always prepared to play a football game.”
“He is one of the main reasons I wanted to be a part of this team,” said Peterson. “Watching Coach from afar, his coaching pedigree, the understanding he has,” said Peterson. “My cousin had the opportunity to play for him. Watching from afar you want to be around a coach who is never out of it, and Coach Tomlin is never out of it. He just finds a way to motivate the players, give them the confidence they didn’t even know they had to go out and play their best football and let the rest of it take care of itself.”
The former LSU product should still have some tread on the tires. In 2022 on a bad Vikings defense run by the departed Ed Donatell, Peterson notched 66 tackles, 56 of them solo stops, five interceptions, 15 passes deflected. He should also add another veteran body that wants to win and will buy into Tomlin’s message. A savvy veteran pick up for a rock solid Pittsburgh defense.
