5 nightmare scenarios for Steelers 2023 season and how to avoid them

2. Patrick Peterson could be cooked

Peterson is another member of the Steelers’ defense who could be in line for a healthy dose of age-related regression. He’s clearly lost a step when it comes to matching up with fleet-footed wideouts on the outside, but he still used his talent and guile to play at a high level for the Vikings last season.

It might not be reasonable to expect Peterson to pick off five passes again this year, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be effective in coverage. It’s vital that the Steelers remember to judge Peterson on the player he is currently rather than what he was during his prime. In other words, they need to protect him by keeping him away from outside coverage.

The best role for Peterson at this stage of his career is to work on the inside as a relatively big nickel corner. He’s still got the speed required to handle tight ends down the seam and running backs in the flat. He’s also got the mental acumen to process route combinations quickly and make plays on the interior.

Overexposing Peterson based on his reputation would turn out to be a nightmare for the Steelers in 2023. Fortunately, the team seems to understand he’s better served on the inside. As long as they don’t deviate from that plan things should be fine for the veteran corner.