Less than an hour after recording SCI’s Podcast No. 102 with special guest Trai Essex, who asked me if I knew of any excellent kick returners in the NFL who could take advantage of the NFL’s new kickoff rule, Khan signed Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year, $6 million contract.I didn’t mention Patterson, but he’s the best kick returner in the game right now.
Can he still be that man at 33? Arthur Smith definitely thinks so.
The Steelers’ new offensive coordinator was Patterson’s head coach for the previous three seasons in Atlanta. Patterson, a four-time Pro Bowler, did not make the all-star team in his last seasons, but he was a genuinely unique danger as a return specialist, running back, and wide receiver.
Patterson, who was chosen as a wide receiver, began in the backfield against the Steelers in a 2022 game, giving them a taste of his versatility. He accumulated 60 yards on 11 carries (5.5 ypc). Tyler Allgeier, the co-starter in Smith’s backfield, went on to rush for over 1,000 yards that season.
The Falcons were the NFL’s third-best rushing team in 2022, but they wanted more, so they selected running back Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall choice in 2023. The rookie’s presence, combined with Allgeier’s, resulted in a 67 percent drop in work for Patterson, based on Patterson’s measly 50 carries last season.
Yes, he was 32. However, it appears like Smith sees something left in Patterson. Khan, who patiently waited for our show to complete before announcing Smith’s signing, no doubt consulted with him on the decision.
Of course, Khan’s decision to take action was largely motivated by the timing of the new kickoff rules. Patterson, 6-2, 220 pounds, has a career kickoff return average of 29.3. Patterson averaged 25.6 throughout his past three seasons with Smith. Over the past three seasons, the Steelers have averaged 22.4 kickoff returns.
Patterson’s numbers, of course, were achieved in the face of now-archaic rules that required most kicks, particularly those with Patterson lined up as a returner, to fly out of the end zone.
The rules have been changed to penalize kickers who send the ball out of the end zone. Potential tacklers have a slower start and less time to pursue return men.
Patterson clearly has the size and speed, even at 33, to take advantage of these new rules. He’ll also give a swing player at both running back and wide receiver, both of which are in need of depth.
No, he may not be the Cordarrelle Patterson we remember as the Vikings’ first-round pick from Tennessee in 2013, but I feel he is still a serious threat.
Smith is aware of that. He simply had to wait till Khan had finished playing with us before celebrating.
