Signed as a marquee free agent in 2003, former Florida Gators standout Mike Peterson arrived in Jacksonville after four productive seasons with the rival Indianapolis Colts. Stepping straight into the middle linebacker spot, Peterson brought fiery leadership and sideline-to-sideline range to North Florida, immediately serving as the operational quarterback for defensive coordinator Mike Smith's unit.

Peterson wasted no time making an impact, surpassing 100 combined tackles in each of his first three seasons in teal and black. His peak performance came in a stellar 2005 campaign, when he recorded 132 combined tackles, 6.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and three interceptions—including a 26-yard pick-six against the Bengals—earning him Second-Team AP All-Pro honors. Despite turning in a performance widely regarded as Pro Bowl-caliber, Peterson was inexplicably snubbed from the all-star roster. 

Injuries and a midseason coaching dispute curtailed his final three years in Jacksonville, but he remained a crucial defensive anchor through 2008 before finishing his 14-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. With the Jaguars, he had 15.0 sacks, 546 combined tackles (400 solo, 146 assists), 32 tackles for loss, 20 pass deflections, and eight interceptions.