The Arizona Cardinals have plenty of work to do this offseason if they hope to stay in the running for the NFC West division title. As a result, new head coach Steve Wilks indicated the team will be pull out all the stops in 2018 by expanding All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson's role on the team.
Peterson is one of the league's premier shutdown corners. However, Wilks has not ruled out the possibility of using him as a returner this upcoming season, according to Darren Urban of the team's website:
“Special teams is going to be important, and I want every player on this team to understand that,” Wilks said during the press conference to introduce special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers. “Do I want him in that situation each and every time? No. We had the same with Luke Kuechly[in Carolina]. He was involved in special teams but he wasn’t a major part of that. We have to be very selective and most importantly smart about our decisions.”
Peterson came into the league as one of the most electrifying punt returners in the game. He finished his rookie season by taking 44 returns for 699 yards and four touchdowns. His role on special teams has diminished over the years, however, due to his prestige at the cornerback position.
That said, it seems Wilks does not plan on holding back at all next season, and for good reason. The consensus has basically ruled the Cardinals as the odd man out of the NFC West for years to come with the rise of the Los Angeles Rams, the ascendance of Jimmy Garoppolo with the San Francisco 49ers, and the experience and talent of the Seattle Seahawks.
However, if they are going to make a comeback next year, they will need to do much more than just get key players involved on special teams.
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