TEMPE, Ariz. – While acknowledging his 10-year tenure with the Arizona Cardinals contested in 2020, Patrick Peterson said Monday it was “easy” to retire from the franchise.
Peterson, 34, returned to his Arizona headquarters Monday to officially announce the end of his 13-year career that began as his fifth pick in 2011.
“My career is here, it lives here,” Peterson said. So it was easy for me to go back here and retire from where it all began. ”
“I have announced that I am officially retiring Cardinal.” pic.twitter.com/1rw3ujsaqk
– Arizona Cardinals (@azcardinals) April 14, 2025
Peterson, who was present with his wife, two daughters, mother, father, close friends and former teammates, watched the highlight video before taking the stage with owner Michael Bidwill in the team’s meeting room. As each of them sat on high stools, Peterson thanked Bidwill, his former teammates, mentors, equipment staff, video staff, and other members of the Cardinals organization.
Future Hall of Fame Larry Fitzgerald was in the front row. Recently, Cardinal Curry Campbell and former Cardinals Safety Tony Jefferson have been re-signed. Also present were former teammates Jay Ferry, Drew Stanton, Adrian Wilson, Andre Roberts, Dennis Gardeck and Bada Baker. The current Cardinals Tray McBride, Jalen Thompson and Garrett Williams were also present.
“You guys went me every day,” Peterson said. “You guys kept me moving. You guys were setting that fire inside me and I’m so happy to be able to come to work every day.”
“A lot was said. It wasn’t the biggest departure, but at the end of the day, this is my legacy. This is where my legacy began.”
Patrick Peterson on his decision to retire alongside Cardinals
Peterson said he wanted to be remembered as a “fierce competitor” who “brought joy into the game,” but also as a “spiring” and “fierce competitor.”
The process of Peterson retiring when Cardinal began after the Super Bowl in February. After not playing in 2024, Peterson decided to hang it forever. He had lunch with Bidwill for a golf outing in Arizona. The two fired up some enduring sentiment, including a 2018 trade cornerback request that he quickly retracted, and commented that Peterson had made a 2022 decision to follow the organization while a member of the Minnesota Viking.
“We had the opportunity to fix some of the things that are like what we need to iron,” Peterson said. “And we did that, we moved forward, shaking hands, hugging, taking photos.
Peterson added: “A lot was being said. It wasn’t the biggest departure, but at the end of the day, this is my legacy. This is where my legacy began.”
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 he hopes that Larry Fitzgerald’s numbers will retire first before that happens.
“We had to do this first,” Peterson said. “He said I was in line. I know I can’t go in front of Fitzie. I told him I didn’t want to go in front of Fitzie. So whenever that happens, it’s going to be after him.”
However, eight Pro Bowlers and three first team All-Pro revealed he can still play – he doesn’t want to. He said he enjoys spending more time with his family, traveling with friends and playing golf.
Over the past year, he has accepted football mortality rates.
“At the end, I had a great 13-year career,” he said. “I have no regrets. And my wife, we talked about this because we weren’t picked up last year. I’m totally fine with my decision. I’m so happy where in life and where my career is.”
Now living on the East Coast, Peterson wants to enter the media landscape as an on-air personality and do what he can to help Arizona win the NFL title.
“I want to be able to get behind the camera and express my thoughts and opinions, and give my fans and viewers something they may not know about the game,” Peterson said. “So, that’s what I want to do.”
