TEMPE — They say time heals all wounds. Or at least they don’t hurt as bad.
That’s the feeling this week in Tempe, where cornerback Patrick Peterson made his surprising return to retire an Arizona Cardinal on Monday, 1,562 days since he last suited up for the franchise.
Unlike the return of fellow longtime Cardinal and defensive tackle Calais Campbell this offseason, Peterson’s decision to retire a Cardinal came with baggage to unpack due to the way things ended.
That’s why Monday marked a huge moment for both Peterson and the franchise as a whole, letting bygones be bygones and looking ahead to the future.
As it should be.
Eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson officially retires as a Cardinal and reflects on his time in Arizona. pic.twitter.com/dBde8PEzE1
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 14, 2025
“I came back home. This is where it all started. I felt like it was only right for me to end my journey where it started,” Peterson said Monday from the Cardinals’ practice facility with former and current players in attendance.
When did Patrick Peterson realize he wanted to retire an Arizona Cardinal?
While it was nothing but smiles throughout Monday’s presentation, the thought of how things ended for Peterson in Arizona has been on the minds of many since it was reported last week that he wanted to call it a career with the Cardinals.
We even kept a running timeline of the saga just to stay up to date on all the news!
Full of off-the-field drama, a reunion seemed off the table.
But earlier this year, the bridge began getting rebuilt between one of the franchise’s best and owner Michael Bidwill.
“I had an opportunity to have a conversation with Mr. Bidwill right after the Super Bowl,” Peterson said. “I ended up having a golf outing here at Gila River … so was out here and it was just a proper time for us to meet up, have lunch and like I said, we got to have the opportunity to amend some of the things that was kind of out there that we needed to iron out.
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“And we did that. We moved forward, we shook hands, we hugged, took pictures and now we’re here making it official (retiring) as an Arizona Cardinal.”
Patrick Peterson all-in on Arizona Cardinals in retirement
Now with the past sorted out, fans can begin to look at what Peterson brought to the organization, not how he left it in 2021.
Like how the 2011 first-round pick was a highlight waiting to happen, earning a First Team All-Pro nod as a rookie and cashing in on four punt returns for touchdowns. He would pick up two more of those All-Pro honors in 2013 and 2015 on top of eight straight Pro Bowl nods from 2011-2018.
He was also an integral part of the Cardinals’ famous No-Fly Zone that consisted of Deone Bucannon, Tony Jefferson, Jerraud Powers, Tyran Mathieu and Rashad Johnson.
That group was truly appointment viewing, a must-watch for anyone who calls themselves football fans.
As one of the franchise’s best, who is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame beginning in 2029, it was a return that needed to happen, especially when looking back at the impact he had within the local community.
“I’m all in now,” Peterson said Monday. “I’m a part of the family now. I’m an Arizona Cardinal for life. That’s why I wanted to be here and be in front of you guys and retire as a Cardinal to show you guys that this is home.
“My cement is dry now,” he added.
Patrick Peterson’s impact not lost on Cardinals past and present
It was nearly a full room Monday, with current and former Cardinals in attendance for Peterson’s retirement press conference.
They included Larry Fitzgerald, Jay Feely, Adrian Wilson, Jefferson, Trey McBride, Campbell, Garrett Williams and Budda Baker, who got a special shoutout from Peterson.
Patrick Peterson (@P2) with a major shoutout to @Buddabaker3 today:
“You work so doggone hard, man. To be the smallest guy in the locker room and to be able to give it your all the way that you do, you inspired me as well. That’s real talk.” pic.twitter.com/Le1hu9L46X
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 14, 2025
“It was an honor being a teammate of yours, because you work so doggone hard, man. To be the smallest guy in the locker room and to be able to give it you’re all the way that you do … you inspired me. And that’s real talk,” Peterson said.
Bruce Arians, Tyrann Mathieu, Carson Palmer and Fitzgerald also had video tributes for the Cardinal.
Follow @Tdrake4sports
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