The first season of Cordarrelle Patterson‘s two-year deal with the Steelers didn’t necessarily go as planned. The veteran offensive weapon still remains on Pittsburgh’s roster, but it’s seeming increasingly likely that he won’t be sticking around for Week 1.
Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly writes that there’s “no place where [Patterson] can slot in” into the roster, and the reporter expresses skepticism that the veteran will be on the roster for the start of the 2025 season. Kaboly also wonders if the team may be holding out for a potential trade suitor.
Kaboly notes that Patterson barely had a role during OTAs. The former All-Pro was spotted “mingling in the locker room,” but that ultimately proved to be “the extent of his participation.”
With Najee Harris no longer around, the Steelers would appear to have some leftover reps at the RB position. Jaylen Warren is preparing for a starter’s workload, but Patterson could compete for backup reps with rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson and veteran acquisitions like Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon, and Evan Hull. Considering Patterson’s versatility, the Steelers could also look to keep him around for WR reps and special teams contributions, although it sounds like the team may just prefer to roll with a younger option in those spots.
Patterson’s Swiss Army Knife profile will always make him an alluring option for teams, but it’s uncertain how many more chances the 34-year-old will get. He finished last season with only 215 yards from scrimmage, which was his worst showing since the 2015 campaign. He also pitched in a team-leading 11 kickoff returns, although it only resulted in 240 yards.
Patterson has managed to contribute in a variety of roles throughout his career. He earned All-Pro nods for his special teams ability, and he’s the NFL’s all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns (nine). While he mostly served as a backup offensive option for the first nine seasons of his career, he showed his ability while with the Falcons in 2021, finishing with 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 scores. He had another 800-plus yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, but he’s been limited to only 434 yards across the past two years.