The Arizona Cardinals picked up cornerback Patrick Peterson’s fifth-year option last month. That decision means Peterson will remain under contract with the Cardinals through the 2015 season before he has a chance of reaching free agency.
Even though Peterson is still two seasons away from potentially hitting the free agent market, the two sides understand that Peterson has a massive contract coming his way in the near future. Peterson has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons and is considered among the league’s top cornerbacks.
Peterson isn’t sure when his new deal will be done, but he fully expects to be a member of the Cardinals for a long time to come.
“I think I’ll be here for a while,” Peterson said, via the Associated Press. “That’s a definite guarantee, I’ll be here for a while.”
Peterson’s agent and the Cardinals have begun early negotiations toward a new deal. With Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman signing a four-year, $56 million extension with $40 million guaranteed, the market for the league’s best corners has now been set.
Sherman and Peterson have both been named a first-team All-Pro twice in three seasons. Sherman has won a Super Bowl. Peterson has more Pro Bowl selections. Sherman predominantly plays one side of the field while Peterson tends to follow an opponent’s best receiver all over the field.
Peterson will likely claim he deserves more than Sherman due to some of those factors and the Cardinals will likely attempt to use Sherman’s deal as a ceiling. Either way, it should serve as a starting point in negotiations to get the ball rolling toward a new deal.