Patrick Peterson says Steelers rookies make him 'feel young' again

The Pittsburgh Steelers just always seem to have good, tough cornerbacks. It’s a position where the franchise — and especially head coach Mike Tomlin — has thrived throughout the last couple of decades. The room may not be chock full with star power, but it does have some brand new faces ready to take over the position, along with one aging veteran who’s around to provide steady play and tutor the youngsters.

The old man in the room is Patrick Peterson, who is an eight-time Pro Bowler entering his 13th year in the NFL. For a guy that’s approaching a baker’s dozen in years played, having some younger blood in his position room is helping keep him going. That younger blood comes in the form of 2023 draftees Joey Porter Jr. (first round) and Cory Trice (seventh round), who Peterson has rave reviews for already.

“Those guys definitely make me feel young,” said Peterson, via the Steelers team website. “Just trying to keep up with those guys. It’s tough, but I am giving it my best go. These are guys who are tremendous athletes, big, strong.”

Peterson went on to note that the new corners are built like modern NFL corners, and said that perhaps they can even show him a few tricks.

“I told these guys they are new day and age cornerbacks. This is what NFL general managers and teams are looking for. Big, long guys who can run and have those physical attributes. It’s definitely fun to have these young guys around because maybe they can help me play three more years.”

In the NFL Draft nowadays, it’s all about athleticism. How fast can you run, how high can you jump, how long are your arms — and most importantly, how effectively and fluidly can you utilize all those traits while playing the game of football? When you’re starting out with an elite body, it’s so much easier to become an elite player.

Lastly, Peterson says the rookies are young, hungry and ready to learn from him and the rest of the coaching staff. They’re ready to be molded into future greats.

“To have both of these young, as coach likes to call them avatar cornerbacks, it’s going to be special,” Peterson said. “Both of them want to learn, want to get as much knowledge as they need to be successful.”