Vikings latest hire makes Patrick Peterson return more likely

With the Minnesota Vikings hiring Deshea Townsend to coach their defensive backs, it essentially guarantees that Patrick Peterson will be back in the Twin Cities on a new contract.

Patrick Peterson is increasingly likely to return to the Minnesota Vikings, especially with Deshea Townsend joining Kevin O’Connell’s coaching staff.

Townsend was the Arizona Cardinals assistant defensive backs coach during Peterson’s rookie season out of LSU back in 2011. He knew of Townsend beforehand through his cousin Bryant McFadden’s playing days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now that Townsend is coming to the Twin Cities after having been on Chicago Bears staff the three years prior, Peterson is surely re-upping.

Peterson’s 12th NFL season will be his age-32 season out of LSU. Regardless, Vikings fans should be very excited about this news.

Patrick Peterson very likely to return to Minnesota Vikings on a new contract

Not only are McFadden and Peterson cousins, they do a podcast together. McFadden has transitioned from being a two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive back in Pittsburgh to a successful media career with CBS Sports. Given how well he knows both Peterson and Townsend, no wonder all parties involved can feel this confident about him getting a second Vikings contract.

What this ultimately comes down to is the deal Peterson’s representation and new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah iron out. Though it has been three years since Peterson’s last Pro Bowl appearance, he is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer still on a quest for a Lombardi Trophy. If Aaron Rodgers leaves the NFC North, the Vikings have to be the new favorites, right?

Should Peterson return on a second contract with Minnesota, it will be one less thing the new Vikings regime will need to worry about in year one.