Trade demand hurts Peterson’s image

Thursday is Patrick Peterson’s usual designated day to meet with reporters, but two full days already had passed since news broke Monday that the Cardinals’ cornerback had asked to be traded.

Peterson, and the Cardinals, couldn’t afford to wait another day to address it. So Peterson talked on Wednesday, acknowledging he asked for a trade because he was frustrated with the Cardinals’ 1-6 season.

Earlier in the day, Peterson issued a statement that he planned to give his all for the Cardinals, just as he had since they drafted him in 2011.

But damage has been done, not so much to the Cardinals, but to Peterson’s reputation, which had been beyond reproach. He’s a great player. He’s a captain. He dotes on his wife and daughter. He works hard in the community. He’s helped feed the hungry. Through his foundation, he’s funded reading nooks in many Valley schools.

But when things were at their worst for the Cardinals, Peterson wanted out. That will be hard to forget.

The Cardinals and coach Steve Wilks had a buffet table of troubles in front of them before Peterson added another one. Wilks is in his first year and went through training camp without a general manager. He’s already replaced his starting quarterback and the team has lost six of seven.

Wilks came off the practice field on Monday to learn of reports that Peterson wanted to be traded. While Peterson remained quiet, former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden, Peterson’s cousin, tweeted that New Orleans was Peterson’s preferred landing spot “per source Patrick Peterson.”

The Cardinals are adamant they are not trading Peterson. Peterson and team President Michael Bidwill met Tuesday and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, discussed ways the Cardinals could improve and “Peterson got assurances from ownership about winning.”

That’s odd because Peterson has worked for Bidwill since 2011. Why at this point did he need assurances that Bidwill cared about winning?

I’m not blaming Peterson for feeling frustrated, upset, or even reaching the point where he needed to have a private meeting with Bidwill about the direction of the team.

But such matters are better handled behind closed doors, not via social media. That way, a player and a head coach are not left trying to mop up a mess. Losing six of seven is difficult enough to handle without a star player adding more drama.