Patrick Peterson passed test as safety last week for Steelers; is full-time move there on horizon?

It wasn’t quite as scenic a perspective of Acrisure Stadium that tourists get from the Mount Washington overlooks. But Patrick Peterson had a unique view of this past Saturday’s game.

From the far back of the defense.

“It was a different view being back deep playing the safety position,” Peterson said Thursday, “but it was fun. It wasn’t as taxing on my body as it was being in front of a guy. So we will see where it takes me.”

In his 13th season of a Hall of Fame career built largely by way of his play as an outside cornerback, Peterson started at safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their last game. Although Peterson at times lined up in slot coverage, according to Pro Football Focus for 50 of the Steelers’ 64 defensive snaps he was lined up as the free safety at the back of the defense during the 34-11 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 33-year-old Peterson said he felt comfortable back there, too.

“I feel like I am kind of a safety at heart,” he said, “because I am a big talker, I am a communicator and being at corner it’s kind of hard to communicate with the guys. But now being at the safety position and having that real key component of communication with everyone, that felt very natural to me.”

Peterson’s move was necessitated by the high level of attrition afflicting the Steelers safety corps: Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), Damontae Kazee (suspension), Keanu Neal (rib, on injured reserve) and Trenton Thompson (neck) all were not available to face the Bengals.

“He’s a really sharp football player, first and foremost, who’s very experienced,” coach Mike Tomlin said of Peterson. “He sees the game from a coach’s perspective in that he can step outside his helmet, that allows for versatility.”

The move might be temporary — but likely for at least another week, with Neal and Kazee assuredly out for Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks, and the statuses of Fitzpatrick and Thompson in question.

But at 33 and not as fast as he was a decade ago during his All-Pro years, Peterson perhaps could lengthen his career with a permanent move from cornerback to safety.

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin wasn’t ready to say that is imminent. But he did say Peterson “absolutely” could excel at safety if a switch to that position happened.

“Pat is a smart football player. He’s got good range, he understands the game and I think he’s sturdy enough to do it,” Austin said. “I don’t know if you wouldn’t play him down in the box, but you would let him roam and do some things in the back. He would give you coverage on slots. He has the ability to do it, yes.”

Peterson noted it will be his ability to tackle in the open field and prove stout against the run that will determine how successful he could be as a full-time safety. In regards to defending the pass, all involved believe Peterson’s vision, football acumen and ball skills could make for a comfortable transition to safety.

“We will see where it goes from here,” Peterson said of playing safety. “But I really did feel comfortable, felt great, made a couple plays to help this team be successful and ultimately win a ballgame.”

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