Patterson brings versatility to Steelers’ offense
He entered the NFL as a wide receiver. Eight seasons later, he carried the label of a running back. As for his build, he dwarfs the 6-foot-2, 232-pound measurements listed on the roster, making him look like a tight end.
No matter his position, Cordarrelle Patterson excels at one trait. And he does it arguably better than anyone else in the NFL.
His ability to return kickoffs is the reason the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Patterson the same day the NFL changed its rules to encourage safer and yet more exciting kick returns.
“That’s what I do,” Patterson said Thursday as the Steelers wrapped three weeks of organized team activities. “I do this in my sleep: kick return. I’ve been doing it for a lot of years.”
Patterson, 33, has returned kicks since he entered the NFL in 2013 as a first-round pick with the Minnesota Vikings. His nine career kickoff returns for touchdowns are an NFL record.
The thing is, Patterson doesn’t look like a traditional returner. He doesn’t have the lean physique of a Devin Hester or Josh Cribbs.
Steelers second-year tackle Broderick Jones was aware of Patterson’s accolades, yet he did a double take when Patterson entered the locker room this week for his initial OTA sessions.
“I saw him walk in, and I’m like, ‘Man, I didn’t know he was that big,’” Jones said. “He’s huge. For a utility player like that, it’s a great asset for us to have on the offensive side of the ball because he can do it all.”
When Patterson was taken by the Vikings with the No. 29 overall pick in 2013 out of Tennessee, he played wide receiver. Although he got a smattering of touches out of the backfield in his first five seasons with Minnesota and Oakland, Patterson didn’t become a multi-purpose player until 2018, when he had 42 carries and 21 catches with New England.
His career didn’t begin to flourish, however, until he joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 under new head coach Arthur Smith. Listed as a running back, Patterson rushed for 618 yards and added 548 receiving to provide Patterson his first — and only — season with 1,000 scrimmage yards.
Patterson rushed for a career-high 695 yards in 2022.
In 2023, his numbers dipped to 181 rushing yards and 38 receiving in 14 games.
After Smith was hired by the Steelers as offensive coordinator, he began recruiting former Falcons players such as MyCole Pruitt, Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson. Patterson came aboard in late March almost at the same time the NFL approved radical kickoff rules changes.
“It’s something I know,” Patterson said. “Arthur talked to me this offseason about joining them, and it was a no-brainer for me.”
The Steelers already have Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who each surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards last season, in the backfield. Patterson would provide a veteran third option.
“I’m not coming here to step on anybody’s toes,” he said. “I know my role and what I can bring to this team. Whatever they need me to do, I’m that guy.”
Patterson joked that he’s prepared to fill in at tight end, right tackle and even quarterback, if needed. Tight end isn’t that much of a stretch considering he occasionally lined up as one during his time with the Falcons.
“Whatever they need,” he said. “I can play it all.”
Returning kickoffs remains at the top of the list. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who is a member of the NFL competition committee that endorsed the kickoff rules change, hastened his recruiting pitch to Patterson once it was clear owners would pass the resolution.
“As soon as the rule happened, it was exciting for me,” Patterson said. “It’s going to be very different, but we’ve been planning on it for a while so hopefully we can get a jump start on it.”
Patterson remembered Tomlin attending his pro day at Tennessee in 2013.
“We had a connection for a very long time,” he said. “This is the first time I ever got the opportunity to play for him. I heard a lot of great things about him and wanted to come and see what he’s about.”
