PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Signed seemingly as the new NFL kickoff rule was made official, Steelers running back/wide receiver/tight end/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson has been studying and ready to make an impact. He did so with the old rules, holding the NFL record for kick return touchdowns with nine.
But the game is different in 2024.
For the first time this season, the NFL is adopting new kickoff rules. Trying to keep the explanation simple, the kicker will kick from the 35-yard line but all other 10 players will be at the receiving team's 40-yard line. Those players can't move until the ball touches the ground or is fielded by a player. The receiving team can line up between the 30 and 35-yard lines and only two players can receive the ball. There is a landing zone from the goal line to the 20-yard line and a player must receive the ball and return it or let it bounce into the end zone and down it. No more fair catches.
There is much more, but hopefully you get the idea. Wait until you see it to truly grasp what is going on. It's the rules they used in the XFL and back to Patterson, he's been studying, trying to get a head start on everybody and he's excited for the new rule. The 12-year veteran believes the changes makes it better for him.
"This is what I do, kick returner," Patterson said. "I've been doing it for a lot of years, whenever I can I'll turn the TV on and watch and how I can get better at that. Hopefully I can take advantage of that and help this team out get some wins."
Patterson led the NFL in kickoff return categories 15 times, whether that's number of returns, yardage, touchdowns, distance, yards-per return. In signing with the Steelers, he wants to prove he's more than just a returner.
"Whatever I need to do to help this team win games, I'm going to help them," Patterson said. "Whatever-wide receiver, running back, kick returner, tight end, right tackle, I can play it all."
He had a career-high 695 yards and eight touchdowns rushing in 2023 and a career-high 548 yards and five touchdowns receiving in 2022. Those stats had the similarity of being with the Atlanta Falcons and under now Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. He also said he's admired Mike Tomlin from afar for years.
"It basically was a no brainer," Patterson said. "I wanted to come to see what it is about."
The 33-year-old said he's ready to show the world what he can do.
"Very comfortable," Patterson said. "I've been in this offense for three years, going on four years. Arthur knows me from up and down. He knows what I can and can't do. I know he's going to take advantage of that this year. I'm excited for that."
