No sooner had NFL owners approved the dynamic kickoff rules proposal in March than the Pittsburgh Steelers finalized a contract with arguably the most prolific returner in league history.
Cordarrelle Patterson’s league-record nine kickoff returns for touchdowns weren’t the only trait that ingratiated him to the organization. The Steelers saw value in adding one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive players.
And so it was Monday in the Steelers’ first padded practice since Patterson was restored to the active roster, he made an immediate impression when he got his hands on the ball in the backfield.
Patterson had two touches in the 2-point conversion simulation that begins the team portion of each practice. On the first play from scrimmage, Patterson lined up wide right in the formation, then cut back, took a handoff from Russell Wilson and zipped across the field before crossing the goal line on the end around.
Two plays later, Patterson lined up at running back and plunged up the middle on a handoff, a run that was stopped short of the end zone.
“This is not his first rodeo, man,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s been around a couple blocks and back, so I don’t think any of us are surprised he’s capable and can swim in these waters.”
Patterson’s practice debut with the Steelers was delayed by two weeks because of a hamstring injury he suffered working out at home during the break between minicamp and training camp.
Patterson began camp on the non-football injury list, and he remained there until Friday, when he was activated a few hours before the Steelers’ preseason opener against Houston.
Patterson did limited work Sunday when the Steelers returned to Saint Vincent College for a non-padded workout. His workload intensified Monday.
“I had a little jitters, but it was good to be back out there,” Patterson said.
The hiring of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator was a factor in Patterson signing a two-year, $6 million deal with the Steelers. Patterson spent the previous three seasons playing for the Atlanta Falcons when Smith was the team’s head coach.
Under Smith, Patterson’s role as a multi-purpose threat was heightened. After spending his first eight seasons as a wide receiver for Minnesota, Oakland, New England and Chicago, Patterson was converted to running back when he joined the Falcons.
In 2021, he set a career high with 1,166 scrimmage yards. The next season, Patterson had a career-high 695 yards rushing although he added only 122 receiving yards. Last season, his role diminished further when the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick.
“He has played a lot of positions, even in my history with him,” Smith said Monday. “He adds a different element … another weapon we have on offense. It’s good to have him back out there.”
Although the Steelers have one of the best one-two punches at running back in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, Patterson didn’t hesitate to follow Smith to the organization.
“I trust and believe in his plan,” Patterson said.
In the preseason opener, Patterson watched from the sideline as No. 4 quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and running backs Daijun Edwards and Jonathan Ward returned kickoffs. Patterson expects to be back in his familiar role when the Steelers face the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in their second preseason game.
“It’s different,” Patterson said about the rules change. “Nobody is used to it. It’s never happened before. I try looking at film and see how I can get better out there and visualize to help myself score touchdowns.”
As kickoff returns dwindled throughout the NFL before the rule was changed, so did Patterson’s chance to make an impact. He had 34 returns combined in his three years with the Falcons. The year before his arrival in Atlanta, he had 35 for the Bears.
Still, Patterson isn’t a fan of the change, even if it is meant to encourage more returns.
“That is out of my control,” he said. “I feel like they are going to change it again before all is said and done. I’m just going to try to leave a mark everywhere I go.”
Which is why Patterson smiled when asked whether his style of play is a good fit for the new kickoff parameters.
“I fit any role,” he said. “Put me on a football field, and I’ll find a way.”
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.