Patrick Peterson smiles for the camera at a recent practice, perhaps mindful a new contract was coming Tuesday. Peterson agreed to a five-year extension with the Cardinals.
There is constant talk about whether Patrick Peterson is the best cornerback in the NFL. Now, he'll be paid like he might just be.
The long-discussed contract for the Pro Bowler came to fruition Tuesday night when Peterson announced on Twitter he had agreed to a five-year extension that puts him in a Cardinal uniform through the 2020 season.
Happy to announce my 5 year extension with @AZCardinals! $70M and $48M Guaranteed!! #AZCardinals #P2Nation #YearOfTheCardinal — Patrick Peterson (@RealPeterson21) July 30, 2014
The news came following the team's final practice and media availability of the day. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday.
The negotiations between the team and agent Joel Segal have been ongoing for months. Peterson is the first member of the 2011
draft class's first round to receive an extension. He still has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
Peterson has insisted all along he would deal with it if a new contract did not happen soon. But the last time he talked about it – Sunday – he already knew a deal was getting close to completion.
"I haven't been to the playoffs since I have been here and that's my first goal," Peterson said. "That's what I am focusing in on right now."
The other three cornerbacks discussed as the top in the league --Seattle's Richard Sherman, New England's Darrelle Revis and Cleveland's Joe Haden – all have gotten new contracts recently. Revis, released by Tampa Bay, signed essentially a one-year, $12 million deal. Sherman, going into the last year of his contract, signed a four-year extension that will pay him an average of $14 million. Haden, who was in the 2010 draft class, signed a five-year extension that will pay him an average of $13.5 million.
It was probably not coincidence that Peterson's tweet mirrored the one Sherman put out when he got his new contract a few months ago. According to profootballtalk.com, Peterson's contract averages $10,000 more a year than Sherman in new money -- which was probably not a coincidence.
"That's going to go on the rest of our careers," Peterson said. "All four guys in the conversation … we all have different skill sets and all four of us have the ability to be the best in the league. The competition is real, I love it, and it will make all four of us play that much harder. I don't have anything against any of those guys.
"Do I feel I am the best cornerback? Absolutely. That answer is never going to change. But that conversation is always going to come up."
