This Vikings Reunion Should Be on the Table
The Minnesota Vikings chose to reunite with linebacker Eric Wilson this offseason, signing the defender from free agency after his stint with the Green Bay Packers.
Don’t look now, but one former 1st-Rounder from the Vikings’ past could make sense for a reunion in 2025 — and it’s not all that far-fetched.
Wilson will serve as a depth linebacker in Brian Flores’ defense this season and play a special teams role.
And while Wilson’s return is noteworthy for the Vikings’ depth chart, the club should tentatively explore one more reunion at the end of August: running back and return man Cordarrelle Patterson.
The Steelers Could Cut Cordarrelle Patterson
A blast from the past in Vikings lore, Patterson currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He turned 34 this offseason, and his days are numbered in the NFL. That’s just how it goes for a 34-year-old running back.
Patterson only fetched 32 rushing attempts in Pittsburgh last season, his fewest in five years since his stop in Chicago with the Bears from 2019 to 2020. He still returned kicks for the Steelers, which was semi-notable because the NFL changed kick-returning rules last year.
Now, however, Patterson faces the possibility of a summer roster cut, especially after Pittsburgh drafted Kaleb Johnson. These are the Steelers’ running backs with training camp around the bend:
- Kaleb Johnson
- Jaylen Warren
- Kenneth Gainwell
- Trey Sermon
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Jonathan Ward
- Evan Hull
- Max Hurelman
Patterson must oust Gainwell and/or Sermon at training camp and in the preseason. That doesn’t feel likely.
The Vikings May Need an RB3
Just why in the hell would Minnesota need a 34-year-old hybrid running back? Simple — the team’s RB3, Ty Chandler, could be waived at the end of August. The Vikings usually go out of their way to find an alternative to Chandler because of his suspect pass-blocking — hence the Cam Akers trades in 2023 and 2024 — and 2025 may be no different.
As a matter of roster depth prudence and a fun reunion angle, Patterson could check some boxes as the purple team’s RB3 this season.
Think about it. Would you, the Viking fan, hate it? Doubt it.
The Vikings Might Also Need a Return Man
But wait. There’s more. Wide receiver Brandon Powell did not re-sign with Minnesota this offseason, and he returned punts for the club in the last two seasons. The aforementioned Chandler returns kicks, and if he’s cut — a realistic possibility — Minnesota would have no experienced return men, at least not any as experienced as Patterson, who could reach the Hall of Fame because of his kick-returning majesty.
So, yes, Patterson would check two boxes: RB3 and KR1.
A Poetic Reunion to End a Sweet Career
Minnesota drafted Patterson in Round 1 twelve years ago. It was the same draft when former general manager Rick Spielman pulled Xavier Rhodes and Sharrif Floyd from the same round.
In theory, current general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could sign Patterson — he’ll be affordable — and “bring him home,” enabling the prolific return man to end his career where it began.
Fans have habitually followed Patterson’s career since he left the Twin Cities during the 2017 offseason. Why not book-end his career in Minneapolis?
Steelers-Themed Media on Cordarrelle Patterson
SI.com’s Jack Markowski recently opined on Patterson’s future in Pittsburgh.
He wrote in May, “The 34-year-old was largely a non-factor throughout his lone campaign in Pittsburgh up to this point, as he logged 135 yards on the ground across 32 attempts in 13 games and averaged 21.8 yards per kick return.”
“A favorite of Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, having previously played under him while he acted as Atlanta’s head coach, the best case for Patterson sticking around would be his familiarity with Pittsburgh’s scheme as well as his vast experience. A four-time All-Pro who is the NFL’s all-time leader in kick return touchdowns with nine, Patterson has crafted a Hall of Fame-worthy resume.”
Let’s be clear: Patterson on the chopping block in Pittsburgh is a tangible outcome.
Markowski added, “With his performance on a steady decline in that facet over the past handful of years, however, his tenure in the league is closing in on its swan song. His already slim workload on the ground is set to shrink even further, and there’s an argument to be made that Gainwell is a more viable kick returner at this point too.”
“If the organization were to cut Patterson before the final season of a two-year pact worth $6 million that he agreed to last March, they’d save $2.850 million against the cap in 2025 while also saddling them with $950,000 in dead money. Taking that into consideration, both he and the Steelers would likely be better off moving on from one another.”
For Patterson to Minnesota, this comes down to a common question: Who says no?
Report Reveals Vikings’ Real Plan at QB
You must be logged in to post a comment.