As NFL's ultimate kickoff X-factor, Cordarrelle Patterson could produce big returns for Steelers

As NFL’s ultimate kickoff X-factor, Cordarrelle Patterson could produce big returns for Steelers

Let’s lay down a quick prediction. With the NFL’s sweeping changes to the kickoff—altering its appearance, rules, and strategies—how does Cordarrelle Patterson, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, feel about the shake-up?

“If I break that first line, it’s over,” Patterson, who signed with the Steelers as a free agent in March, told USA TODAY Sports. “They better have a solid plan to stop us because we’re coming at them hard. I’m hoping to take five or six to the house this year.”

Confidence abounds.

Patterson has earned the right to such bravado. The 13-year veteran holds NFL records for most career kickoff-return touchdowns (nine) and the longest kick return (109 yards). His career average of 29.26 yards per return ranks third in league history, only bested by Gale Sayers’ 30.56-yard mark from 1965-71.

Still, the NFL’s new “dynamic” kickoff, as it’s been dubbed, represents such a dramatic overhaul that even a returner of Patterson’s caliber might find it challenging to maintain his deadly form.

“He’s a stud,” Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith said to USA TODAY Sports. “But he’s going to face different types of kicks. I’ve been working with him on that. The days of getting those nice, easy kicks on the fly? They’re gone. Now, we’re all stationary until the ball hits the ground or is touched.

“He’s going to have to field balls from all over the place. One, because of the new rule. And two, because of who he is. Nobody’s going to let him camp under the ball and return it.”

Smith knows Patterson’s resume well. He’s been such a potent threat that Smith, the NFL’s longest-tenured special teams coach, has instructed Steelers kickers in the past to avoid kicking to him altogether. Under the new rule, if kickers fail to send the ball to returners positioned between the goal line and the 20-yard line, the offense will start its drive at the 30- or 40-yard line.

The NFL introduced this new kickoff format in response to the declining rate of returns, which hit an all-time low in 2023. Early preseason results suggest the new rule, adopted on a one-year trial basis, is having the desired effect. Across the league, 70.5% of kickoffs were returned (296 out of 420), a notable increase from the 54.8% return rate during the 2023 preseason. The average drive start also improved to the 28.8-yard line, up from 24.2 in 2023, and while there were no kickoff return touchdowns, 18 runbacks exceeded 40 yards, compared to just nine in 2023.

All teams are still adjusting to these changes.

“We’re working on it,” Smith said. “He’ll get better, and we’ll go with it. I need a couple [of touchdowns]. He’s got to make me look good.”

At 33, Patterson understands that he may need to dig some footballs out of less-than-ideal spots before getting up to speed on a return. But he seems ready for the challenge.

“Oh yeah, it’s wild,” he said. “The coverage teams have a lot of rules to follow too. They can’t just kick it however they want.

“Last year wasn’t a good year for me in kick returns,” Patterson admitted, noting that during an injury-riddled season, he averaged a career-low 21.9 yards on a career-low seven returns. “Maybe they’ll think, ‘He’s 33. He’s lost a step.’ Hopefully, they’ll take that approach.”

Should Patterson bounce back, the Steelers could reap a wealth of benefits. One of the NFL’s most versatile players, Patterson is officially listed as a running back but can also line up at wide receiver, his original position. He could emerge as the ultimate X-factor for a team aiming to reignite its offense under new quarterback Russell Wilson and build on last season’s brief playoff run.

Patterson is now on his sixth NFL team since being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013 as a first-round pick (29th overall). Why Pittsburgh? A major factor is Arthur Smith, the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator. Patterson played under Smith for three years with the Atlanta Falcons.

“I get asked all the time: How’s Arthur going to use me?” Patterson said. “He better use me like he did that first year in Atlanta, or we’re going to have problems.”

Patterson then broke into a hearty laugh.

“Nah, man, he’s a great guy,” Patterson continued. “That’s the main reason I came here. I know what he believes in. He’s one of the smartest [expletive] around. He knows everything from the history to whatever else you can think of. He’s smart as hell.”

The comfort level is mutual.

“We’ve just been together so long—it’s like an old married couple,” Arthur Smith told USA TODAY Sports. “We can jab at each other, be best friends, and everything in between. I love CP.”

It’s unlikely Patterson will carry the same heavy load he did under Smith in 2021, when he played about half of the offensive snaps, recorded a career-high 153 carries, matched his career best with 52 receptions, and scored a career-high 11 touchdowns. Last season, he played just 19% of the offensive snaps.

Now, he’s expected to be the No. 3 running back behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. But Patterson showed he still has some juice left during the preseason finale against Detroit, breaking off a 31-yard touchdown run. It’s also possible he’ll see significant snaps lining up in the slot or out wide, meaning he could find himself in multiple meeting rooms throughout the week.

“CP is such a unique player,” Arthur Smith said. “He’s been in so many meetings with us on offense. He knows what I want. In multiple spots.”

Patterson might be the first Steeler to touch the football in the regular season on Sept. 8—on a kickoff return, no less—in Atlanta, of all places. The symbolism would be hard to miss. During each of Patterson’s three seasons under Smith, the Falcons finished 7-10.

“We had some good times,” Patterson said. “And we had some bad times because we couldn’t win for the city of Atlanta. If anyone ever doubted it, we did everything in our power, week in and week out, to try to win a championship for that team. We just couldn’t get it done. It was unfortunate the way it ended, but I’m happy to be where I am now. It’s a great opportunity.”

Especially if he can break through that first line of defense.