ORLANDO, Fla. — Hours after the NFL adopted a brand new kickoff rule, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with versatile return man Cordarrelle Patterson, league sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
After a traditionally low price of kickoff returns within the 2023 season, the amended guidelines are anticipated to emphasise the return sport, making Patterson’s function a vital one.
Patterson, who performed beneath now-Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith with the Atlanta Falcons, has 9 profession kick return touchdowns since coming into the NFL in 2013 to make him the NFL’s all-time chief within the class. He has thrice as many kick return touchdowns as another participant in that timespan, based on ESPN Stats & Data.
The Steelers final scored a landing on a kick return when JuJu Smith-Schuster took one 96 yards to the tip zone towards the Cleveland Browns in 2017. The staff has struggled to discover a constant return man, utilizing a mixture of gamers within the 2023 season that included former apply squad addition Godwin Igwebuike and operating again Anthony McFarland.
Patterson noticed a decreased function with the Falcons in 2023, partly as a result of added personnel and the NFL’s earlier modifications within the kickoff rule, which made touchbacks extra prevalent. He set profession lows in returns (7), return yardage (153) and yards per return (21.9) final season.
On offense, the place he had discovered the largest alternatives of his profession beginning at age 30, he had 50 carries for 181 yards — his lowest totals since 2019 — and 9 catches for 38 yards and a landing, his worst numbers since 2015, his third yr within the league.
Patterson, 33, grew to become a hybrid operating again/receiver with the Falcons, usually lining up all through Smith’s offensive formations, producing a career-best season with 1,166 yards from scrimmage (618 yards dashing, 548 yards receiving) in 2020.
He was picked No. 29 general within the 2013 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Since then, he has performed in 170 video games (60 begins) and has 514 carries for two,511 yards and 22 touchdowns together with 298 catches for two,795 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has additionally performed for the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders.
Along with his report, Patterson is No. 17 all-time in kick return makes an attempt (273), ninth in yardage (7,989) and third in kick return common at 29.3, behind Gale Sayers (30.6 from 1965-71) and Lynn Chandnois (29.6 from 1950-56).
ESPN’s Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.
