Patterson Out of Shape, Should Steelers Be Concerned?

With the NFL kickoff rules changing in 2024, fans can expect excitement to return to special teams. Gone are the days of constant touchbacks, fair catches, and extra breathing room to grab a drink from the other room.

The new rules, which incentivize both returns and returnable kicks, have made kick returners all the more important. Teams that have the athleticism to create explosive plays and the adaptability to adjust to the parameters could prove pivotal.

Subsequently, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed one of the best kick returners in the history of the sport, Cordarrelle Patterson.

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With a record nine kick-return touchdowns to his name, Patterson will be in consideration for Pittsburgh’s vacancy at returner – almost certainly with a better chance at the job than backup quarterback Justin Fields.

It’s an opportunity Patterson is excited for.

“Once you get past the first wave, it’s over with me and the kicker. And I like my chances with me 100 times out of 100,” he said, in a video released by the Steelers. “They better do a good job of fielding that ball and not getting it right to us, because we’ve got a great plan. I’m excited for the opportunity to try to show the world that this new rule don’t (negatively) affect me or my teammates in any way.”

Patterson, a former Atlanta Falcon, is following offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to Western Pennsylvania. That relationship may be useful throughout the summer, as Patterson admitted he’s out of shape – what he called a two out of 10.

“But when I get to camp I’ll be a 10 outta 10,” Patterson told Chris Adamski. “I’ll get myself in the best shape of my life. I like to get away, enjoy my family, let my body get fat, unhealthy – and then when I come back to camp it’s go time.”

While some may raise the alarm, especially, entering his age-33 season, those tensions should only be as high as the Steelers let them become.

Patterson is entering his 12th NFL season and has long been one of the league’s best returners. He knows his role, and with two startable running backs ahead of him on the depth chart, won’t have to prepare for much more.

If getting “fat” in the summer keeps him happy and his play isn’t affected, so be it. Pittsburgh has bigger issues to worry about as the regular season quickly approaches.