EAGAN, Minn. -- Patrick Peterson faced his truth this spring when he became a free agent after 10 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Where he chose to play for Year 11 could either extend a career that includes eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro seasons or lead him to an exit from the NFL earlier than planned. Everything hinged on Peterson choosing a team with a defensive system that would put him in position to bounce back from the lows he experienced the past two.
The 31-year-old saw how Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer prolonged the careers of Deion Sanders, Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph and Terence Newman.