Patrick Peterson has a new team and a new jersey number. He’ll wear #20 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the team.
Peterson had worn #21 and #7 throughout his NFL career. While he expressed a desire to keep wearing #7, the number he also wore in college, he quickly became aware that number was spoken for by Ben Roethlisberger’s legacy.
No. 20 was, of course, last worn by Cam Sutton, the man Peterson is replacing after Sutton signed a three-year deal in Detroit. No. 20 is also the number Bryant McFadden, Peterson’s cousin, wore during his time with the Steelers. That’s likely the driving reason why Peterson selected it.
In fact, the Steelers’ Twitter account sent this clip of Peterson talking with an equipment manager, who mentioned #20 being available to him and referenced that it was McFadden’s jersey.
Other notable Steelers to wear #20 include S Will Allen, RB Rocky Bleier, and CB Dewayne Washington.
Turning 33 over the summer, Peterson signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Steelers, recently saying he wants to play two more years in the NFL.
A first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, Peterson has started every game he’s played, all 184 of them. He has 610 career tackles with 34 interceptions. He’s expected to be a starting corner for the Steelers and told reporters he’s open to being more versatile in Pittsburgh than what Minnesota allowed him to do.
Peterson is one of three official external offseason signings the Steelers have made. Others include OG Nate Herbig and ILB Cole Holcomb. The team has reportedly agreed to terms with ILB Elandon Roberts. Linebacker Myles Jack has been cut by the team.
