Shortly after the NFL announced that they would be changing the way that kickoffs are done, the Pittsburgh Steelers went out and signed one of the league’s most dangerous return men in Cordarrelle Patterson.
The Steelers and Patterson agreed to terms on a two year deal worth a reported $6 million.
Of course, there’s the obvious connection between Patterson and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Patterson played in Atlanta while Smith was the head coach of the Falcons, so the running back should find it relatively easy to assimilate to the new team.
Patterson, just having turned 33 years old, is very likely not the player he once was. He arrived in Atlanta ahead of the 2021 season, where he converted from wide receiver to running back and and rushed for 618 yards his first year there.
The following season, he upped it to 695 yards, while also putting up a career high 8 touchdowns. He was never a star running back, but he was serviceable for the Falcons.
Last season, he took a backseat in the running game after Atlanta drafted Bijan Robinson eighth overall in the draft. Patterson didn’t start a single game, and ran for 181 yards on 50 carries for the Falcons.
From a run game standpoint, this signing doesn’t move the needle a ton. The Steelers already have two stud running backs in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Patterson likely figures in as the third man in that room. But hey, if he is RB3 for the Steelers, that’s perfectly fine. He can chip in from time to time, while also keeping expectations about him realistic.
However, that’s not the main reason the Steelers have brought in Patterson. The NFL announced earlier today that they are overhauling the kickoff process. After years of trying to eliminate as much action as possible on a kickoff, the league is seemingly reversing course.
The NFL has moved to adopt a new format that had originated in the XFL.
The hope is to increase the amount of actual plays on kickoff returns, which have been slowly dying out for years. It passed 29-3 in the owner’s vote.
Steelers president Art Rooney said he voted in favor of it, but only after it was clear the motion would pass anyways. Despite that being a concerning way of doing business (and means he definitely shouldn’t be a juror of any kind), the Steelers reacted quickly to the new change.
Patterson has been one of the league’s best kick returners for years. He led the NFL in 2019 and 2020 in total return yards when he was with the Chicago Bears. He also led the NFL in yards per return three of the four years he played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Patterson has nine return touchdowns in his career, six of which 100+ yards in length. That’s the most in NFL history. Here’s a bit of a look at what he can do:
The Steelers used a hodgepodge of returners last season. While Calvin Austin took over the punt returner job, five different players took at least one kick return for Pittsburgh.
Godwin Igwebuike led the way with 11, but Anthony McFarland took 6, Desmond King took 4 (hey remember him?), Gunner Olszewski took 2, and George Pickens took 1.
Patterson took half of Atlanta’s kick returns last seasons, and far and away led the team with 21.9 yards per return.
It’s a great reaction move to a league that is now focusing on the kick return being an active part of the game again. He’s will fit in nicely and adds an explosive element to both the run game and the return game.
(Featured photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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