Steelers Releasing Veteran Now Officially On The Table After Round 3 Of 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a few positions that were desperately in need of some sort of upgrades. In one of the more predictable first two days of a draft for the team in recent memory, the organization selected defensive line Derrick Harmon in the first round and then took running back Kaleb Johnson in the third. Those who follow the team closely had a feeling this was the way it would go for the franchise, despite the offense not having any legitimate long-term plan at the quarterback. That remains in question, but General Manager Omar Khan has done a nice job plugging two holes.

Harmon is being looked at as Cameron Heyward's new partner-in-crime, but only one running back can carry the ball at a time. Jaylen Warren has his sights set on being the starter in 2025, but the status of his future in the Steel City is unknown because he is only playing on a one-year deal (as of now). The Steelers may be looking at Johnson as the long-term answer, which speaks volumes because of the coaching staff's desire to run the football.

Pittsburgh also made the decision to sign Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year deal as free agency ramped up at the beginning of the new league year. On top of being an effective runner, the former Philadelphia Eagles back also has experience running kicks. The newly-formed trio could lead to the front office making a decision to release a veteran that signed a two-year deal in the 2024 offseason.

Cordarrelle Patterson was far from effective during his first season with the Steelers. He only logged 32 carries for 135 yards, but he wasn't necessarily brought in to be a dynamic running back. Once the NFL's kickoff rules changes, Pittsburgh acted quickly to bring Patterson in, who has the most kick returns for touchdown in league history. Unfortunately, he only averaged 21.8 yards per return, a number that was below both Gainwell and Warren's from a season ago.

With Patterson slotted to be the fourth running back on the team's depth chart, it's not only possible that the front office makes the decision to release him, but he could also ask to be let go so he can find another opportunity elsewhere. The cap implications would see the Steelers incur just under $1 million in dead money, but moving on from the veteran would also lead to $2.8 million in cap savings, per Over The Cap.

Patterson is a much different player than he was when he joined Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons back in 2021. Some believe that he may still be around in Pittsburgh because Smith likes his abilities, but the Steelers' offensive coordinator may be reminiscing too much back on the 2021 campaign.

The veteran return man will likely end up in the Hall of Fame one day because of his legendary career, but he took a step back in all areas in 2024. There is no reason to keep him on the roster if there is a certifiable replacement to return kicks in Gainwell. On top of that fact, there will now be three ball-carriers ahead of him in the offensive game plan after the selection of Johnson.

Steelers Owe Patterson The Opportunity To Play Snaps Elsewhere

The veteran is at the very end of his career, which is why he and Pittsburgh may end up mutually agreeing that it is best to part ways. There is way too much talent in the running back room to give him consistent carries, and his return game clearly took a step back in 2024. The organization could have been waiting to draft a running back before entertaining a release, and now that is absolutely a possibility with Johnson coming to town.

Do you think that the Steelers will move on from Patterson? Let us know in the comments below!

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