PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – On a day the league made major rule changes to increase the role of the kickoff return, the Steelers agreed to terms with the NFL’s all-time greatest kickoff return scorer.
NFL Network among those to report Cordarrelle Patterson gets a two-year, $6 million deal with the Steelers.
It’s been since 2017 since the Steelers had a kickoff return for a touchdown in a regular season game. The 6'2", 220-pound Patterson had a 103-yard kickoff return TD in 2022 in Atlanta when Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was head coach.
Overall in his career, a 29.3 yards-per-kickoff return average with NINE touchdowns-an NFL RECORD. In six of Patterson’s 11 seasons, he led the league in kickoff return touchdowns. He’s ninth all-time in kickoff return yards playing in an era where the kickoff return has nearly been taken away.
Patterson also could be a number three tailback and have a role in the passing game. The 33-year-old has 2,511 career rushing yards with a career-high 695 yards and eight touchdowns with Smith and Atlanta in 2022. The Vikings first-round pick in 2013 also has 298 career receptions for 2,795 yards and 16 touchdowns.