Seven-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson now does not want to leave the Arizona Cardinals after reportedly requesting a trade earlier this season. The cornerback instead is claiming he wants to be part of the team's rebuilding process, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. 

Deion Sanders recently said on ESPN's “First Take” that Peterson has been “trying to escape” Arizona. The Cardinals cornerback is refuting that and saying there is “no doubt” he would like to finish his career in the desert.

Peterson has been there when the Cardinals enjoyed their success, and now he says he won't leave them in times of misery. After their embarrassing playoff exit against the Carolina Panthers in 2015, the Cardinals haven't been able to get things right. They regressed in 2016 to 7-8-1. In 2017, they finished with an 8-8 record to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Steve Wilks' first season with the team has been hideous. Yes, they are a rebuilding team with rookie quarterback Josh Rosen now under center, but they've been allowing teams to win easily at their expense.

They are tied for the worst record in the league at 2-8 and have suffered a string of one-sided defeats. They were shutout by the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, 34-0, and were manhandled by the Denver Broncos in Week 7, 45-10.

Ever since his arrival in Glendale in 2011, Peterson has been one of the best shutdown corners in the league. He played his best under Bruce Arians' tutelage and was a vital piece during the Cardinals' strong run from 2013-2015.

When wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hangs up his boots, it is expected that Peterson will take over as the new face of the franchise.

“I want to follow in that man’s shoes,” Peterson said, referring to Fitzgerald. “He’s been here forever, 15 years, being a cornerstone of this Arizona Cardinals organization. I feel like I’m next in line. So we’ll see what happens.”

The rebuilding process may not be quick, but Peterson can truly be instrumental in the Cardinals' new quest for being competitive once more.