Steelers Cut Him. Vikings Should Call Immediately.
Cordarrelle Patterson, a former member of the Minnesota Vikings, is a newly minted free agent.
The Steelers just dropped Cordarrelle Patterson, and the Vikings could be a perfect destination. A reunion would make sense for both parties.
Minnesota drafted Patterson 12 years ago in Round 1, and with intense staying power in the NFL, along with top-notch versatility, the WR-turned-RB could be seeking employment for one final hurrah.
Yes, Minnesota should take the plunge with Patterson.
Cordarrelle Patterson Gets His Marching Orders
Patterson is the odd man out this summer at 34 years old. At least for now.
Steelers Release Cordarrelle Patterson
ESPN wrote Monday, less than six weeks before the start of the regular season: “Cordarrelle Patterson took to social media Monday to announce that he has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had one year left on a two-year, $6 million contract he signed with the Steelers last year. The move saves the Steelers $2.8 million in salary cap space.”
“Patterson has nine career kick return touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2013 to make him the NFL’s all-time leader in the category. The Steelers, however, only used him on 11 kickoff returns last season.”
Patterson comically broke the news himself:
The Absolutely Perfect Fit as an RB3
For now, the Vikings have Ty Chandler lined up as the RB3 in 2025 behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. And while that’s fine and dandy, Chandler could be released next month during roster trimdowns. He doesn’t efficiently pass-block, and anytime Minnesota gets near the point of playing time for Chandler, well, it swings a trade for Cam Akers.
Other than Chandler, the Vikings have only Zavier Scott and Tre Stewart as running backs for RB3 contention, and both are relative unknowns.
Patterson is a proven asset, and although old by running back standards, RB3s aren’t totally crucial in an offense. It’s just that the club usually trades for Akers. Why not sign Patterson now for cheap?
Don’t Forget the Special Teams
Not for nothing: Patterson is one of the best return men in the history of the NFL.
Last season, Chandler and Myles Gaskin took care of most kick-returning duties, and with Gaskin no longer on the team and Chandler’s roster fate in jeopardy, signing Patterson as a special teams insurance policy makes all the sense in the world.
Minnesota actually has no clear-cut return men established through one week of training camp, especially with Brandon Powell not re-signed this offseason.
This one is simple: for the team with special teams return questions marks, sign a Top 3 returner in the sport’s history.
A Reunion, As Well. Full Circle
Patterson began his career in Minnesota, albeit as a wide receiver. Former general manager Rick Spielman pulled Patterson from Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft, and through adaptation into a running back, Patterson is on a Hall of Fame and longevity-filled trajectory as a kick returner.
He doesn’t have many NFL seasons left — 2025 might be his last ride — so the Vikings should sign Patterson to make his career full circle. Gridiron poetry.
In short, would you rather have Ty Chandler or Cordarrelle Patterson in 2025? That’s the appropriate question.
Steelers-Themed Media on the Release
Steelers Depot‘s Alex Koroza noted on Patterson’s release, “Patterson offered little for Pittsburgh last season, averaging just 21.8 yards on 11 returns. It was the worst average of any returner with double-digit tries. Pittsburgh finished the year with the NFL’s worst return average and was one of just four teams to regress compared to the “old” model in 2023.”
“Hampered by injury heading into training camp, Patterson began the 2024 summer on the NFI (non-football injury) list. Activated late in the preseason, Mike Tomlin opted against using him on returns until the regular season. Patterson briefly shined early in the year with an impressive half against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4 before suffering an ankle injury and missing the next month.”
It’s unclear if Patterson will become a hot free-agent commodity, but the next couple of weeks will deliver a verdict.
Koroza added, “Looking even less explosive the rest of the year, he didn’t receive his first kick return until November and proved to be ineffective. Patterson finished last season with 32 carries for 135 yards and zero touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 80 yards and one score, an impressive contested catch against new Steelers ILB Malik Harrison in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.”
“Sitting atop the Steelers’ running back depth chart are Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and Kaleb Johnson. Other running backs on the team’s 90-man roster include Trey Sermon and Evan Hull. Pittsburgh now has an open roster spot it will presumably quickly fill before Tuesday’s first padded training camp practice.”
VikingsTerritory formally endorses the Patterson signing — the reunion angle and the RB3 need.
Otherwise, players like Gus Edwards remain available on the open market. More free-agent RBs will be available in late August when teams trim rosters from 90 players to 53.
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