TEMPE, Ariz. — While acknowledging his 10-year tenure with the Arizona Cardinals ended acrimoniously in 2020, Patrick Peterson said Monday it was a “no-brainer” to retire with the franchise.
Peterson, 34, was back in Arizona’s headquarters Monday to officially announce the end of his 13-year career that began as the fifth-overall pick in 2011.
“My career is here, it lives here,” Peterson said. So, it was a no-brainer for me to come back here to retire where it all started.”
“I’m announcing that I am retiring a Cardinal officially.” pic.twitter.com/1rw3UJsaQk
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 14, 2025
With his wife, two daughters, mother, father, closest friends and former teammates in attendance, Peterson watched a highlight video before taking the stage with owner Michael Bidwill in the team meeting room. With each sitting on high stools, Peterson thanked Bidwill, his former teammates, mentors, the equipment staff, the video staff and other members of the Cardinals organization.
Future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald was in the front row, as was recently re-signed Cardinal Calais Campbell and former Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson. Also in attendance were former teammates Jay Feely, Drew Stanton, Adrian Wilson, Andre Roberts, Dennis Gardeck and Budda Baker. Current Cardinals Trey McBride, Jalen Thompson and Garrett Williams were also in attendance.
“You guys kept me going each and every day,” Peterson said. “You guys kept me going. You guys lit that fire in me and made it so, so joyful to come to work each and every day.”
“There was a lot of things said. It wasn’t the greatest departure, but at the end of the day, this is where my legacy is. This is where my legacy started.”
Patrick Peterson, on his decision to retire with Cardinals
Peterson said he wanted to be remembered as a “fierce competitor” who brought “joy to the game” but also “uplifted” his teammates.
The process of Peterson returning to Arizona to retire as a Cardinal began after the Super Bowl in February. After not playing in 2024, Peterson decided to hang it up for good. While in Arizona for a golf outing, he had lunch with Bidwill, where the two hashed out some lasting feelings, including the cornerback’s request for a trade in 2018 that he quickly retracted, and comments Peterson made about the organization while a member of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
“We had an opportunity to amend some of the things that was kind of out there that we needed to iron out,” Peterson said. “And we did that. We moved forward, we shook hands, we hugged, took pictures, and now we are here making it official as an Arizona Cardinal.”
Peterson added: “There was a lot of things said. It wasn’t the greatest departure, but at the end of the day, this is where my legacy is. This is where my legacy started.”
Bidwill said he mentioned the idea of retiring Peterson’s No. 21 when the cornerback left Arizona five years ago, but Peterson said Monday that before it happens, he wants Larry Fitzgerald’s number to be retired first.
“We needed to do this first,” Peterson said. “He told me I’m in line. I know I cannot go before Fitzy. I did tell him that I do not want to go before Fitzy. So, whenever that happens, it will be after him.”
The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time, first-team All-Pro, however, made it clear he could still play — he just doesn’t want to anymore. He said he has been enjoying spending more time with his family, traveling and golfing with friends.
Over the past year, he has accepted his football mortality.
“At the end of the day, I had a great 13-year career,” he said. “There’s no regrets. And, my wife, we talked about this ever since I wasn’t able to be picked up last year, I’m perfectly fine with my decision. I’m very, very happy where I’m at in life and my career. “My cement is dry now, so now it’s in God’s hands if I did enough to be where I really want to be at the end of my career and that’s football heaven.”
Peterson, who now lives on the East Coast, wants to enter the media landscape as an on-air personality and do what he can to help Arizona win an NFL title.
“I want to get behind the camera and be able to express my thoughts, input, being able to give the fans, the viewers, something that they may not know about the game,” Peterson said. “So, that’s what I want to do.”
