The Pittsburgh Steelers have added a new weapon to their offseason armoury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Steelers have signed Cordarrelle Patterson, a return specialist and running back, to a two-year, $6 million deal.
Patterson has spent the last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he worked for head coach Arthur Smith. Smith has since joined the Steelers as offensive coordinator, and he was likely influential in Patterson’s hiring.
Despite a disappointing year in 2023, Patterson averaged 21.9 yards per return on kickoffs and punts. He has been one of the greatest returners in the NFL since his debut in 2013.
Cordarrelle Patterson #84 of the Atlanta Falcons looks for yards against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Pittsburgh Steelers have now signed Cordarrelle.
What makes this move even more crucial for the Steelers is that the NFL recently established a new kickoff regulation. The hybrid rule will blend the existing NFL and historical XFL kickoff return systems, altering clubs’ kickoff strategies.
One of the most significant changes is that any time a ball lands between the goal line and the 20-yard line, it must be returned. Ten players on the kicking team can line up on the opposing 40-yard line to chase down the ball carrier. Conversely, the receiving team can have up to nine players on the 30-to-35-yard marker to stop the kicking team.
Patterson is quick on his feet, so the strategy will likely be to get him the ball and allow the receiving team’s players to block out the kicking teams, resulting in huge yards gained.
The idea for the new kickoff rule is to ensure that players are not running across the field and slamming into one another. Instead, the field for defenders has been shortened by a great deal to increase player safety.
The kickoff game for teams will have to change dramatically, and the Steelers might have seen the writing on the wall when opting to sign a dynamic returner, which should enhance their chances of having a good field position.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71707002/1445054954.0.jpg?w=678&ssl=1)
There will be a lot of trial and error in terms of how teams line up their players, but it might be difficult to chase down one of the best kickoff returners in the league. Steelers general manager Omar Khan is very particular about the players he has signed, and Patterson could be one of the most significant players added in free agency with the new ruleset in place.
Be the first to comment