The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in veteran return man Cordarrelle Patterson on a two-year, $6 million deal ahead of the 2024 season. This move was made within hours of the NFL announcing a major change to its kickoff rules, signaling the team’s intent to capitalize on Patterson’s elite return skills. The obvious hope was that he could come to the Steel City and provide a significant advantage on special teams.
Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin speaks with former Falcons return man Cordarrelle Patterson after a game.
However, the 2024 season couldn’t have gone worse for Patterson, who was part of a return unit that ranked among the league’s worst statistically. Whether it was age catching up to him or a lack of chemistry in the new scheme, Patterson never delivered the impact the Steelers had envisioned. Given his lackluster production and advancing age, many fans assumed the team would cut ties before the second year of his deal.
Surprisingly, Patterson remains on the books for the 2025 season. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently shed light on why that might be the case. In his article, Fittipaldo suggested that Pittsburgh may still see value in Patterson’s veteran presence and special teams experience under the new kickoff format, especially if the rest of the returner competition remains underwhelming heading into training camp.
"One of the biggest surprises of the offseason was the Steelers keeping Patterson on the roster despite his $2.8 million salary and $3.7 million cap hit," Fittipaldo said. "Assuming he makes the 53-man roster, the Steelers will be hoping Patterson can bring better returns on their investment."
The 34-year-old entered Steelers training camp dealing with an injury, which likely played a role in his inability to find a rhythm during the 2024 season. From the start, Patterson never looked like the dynamic returner fans had hoped for, and the lingering effects of that injury may have contributed to his disappointing performance.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson stiff-arms a Cleveland Browns defender during a home game in Pittsburgh.
As Fittipaldo pointed out, Patterson is still on the books for a couple million dollars in 2025, and many Steelers fans assumed cutting him would be an easy way to clear cap space. Given his age, decline in production, and the team’s overall struggles on special teams, that assumption made plenty of sense.
However, Fittipaldo believes the Steelers may not be ready to move on just yet. Despite the poor return on investment so far, the team might still hold out hope that Patterson—now healthy—can finally deliver under the new kickoff rules. It's a controversial contract, but Pittsburgh may want to give it one more shot before pulling the plug.
While Patterson’s return game underperformed in 2024, it’s important to note that the Steelers' special teams unit as a whole struggled to find consistency. Patterson’s performance may have been a symptom of a larger issue within the unit, which also dealt with inconsistent blocking and communication. The Steelers may still be evaluating whether Patterson can succeed if these problems are addressed or if he simply needs more time to adjust to the changes in the team’s approach.
Steelers Might Like Cordarrelle Patterson's Versatility
Additionally, Patterson’s versatility might be something the Steelers are reluctant to part with just yet. Though he failed to make a major impact as a return man, he’s also shown the ability to contribute in multiple roles, including as a running back and receiver in the past. Pittsburgh could be considering whether he can offer more than just special teams help, especially if injuries create depth issues on offense or defense.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson returns a kick in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 season.
Ultimately, the Steelers’ decision to keep Patterson on the roster could come down to a mix of financial and strategic reasons. With the team trying to revitalize their special teams and a new kickoff rule affecting the entire league, it’s possible the Steelers believe in Patterson’s potential to turn things around. If they’re able to fix the issues surrounding their return game, Patterson could still provide the value they initially expected when they signed him.
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