Steelers’ Safety Experiment Gives Huge Returns

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers got their first taste of Patrick Peterson at safety on Saturday. It was a move that the team made out of desperation with injuries abound. The team was down its top four safeties with practice squad elevation Eric Rowe starting next to him. But the early returns on the move went well.

In the past, many older, future Hall of Fame cornerbacks have moved to safety to extend their careers. You can look at Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson, Ronde Barber, and others. Patrick Peterson stated that could be something that ends up working for him throughout the rest of his career. His goal was always to play 15 seasons, and while he is on leg 13 of that tour, the move to safety could get him there. He is as intelligent as ever and has elite ball skills, even if the athleticism is as elite as it once was from that spot.

Steelers free safety Patrick Peterson breaks up a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals, Dec. 23, 2023 – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Peterson grabbed an interception and made several other plays over the top to make it much harder on Jake Browning. He even stuck his nose in the fan enough time to justify it. I’m not saying Peterson is some savant back there and that he will be some revelation as an All-Pro or something; I’m not saying that. But this move benefits the Steelers and Peterson, who are losing more athleticism by the year to play outside cornerback.

The move to slot helped him. His game at safety seems rather suited to be put there. If the team can continue to work with him at that spot, it’s not hard to think that Peterson could extend his career and become an instrumental piece for the team from that spot.

Peterson has all the instincts to keep playing back there. It’s a move that, if made, likely won’t be permanently made until the offseason, but after a solid performance that Peterson put out on Saturday, it’s one that they should look into going into the future.