The Pittsburgh Steelers have added another weapon to their offseason arsenal. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has announced on X that the Steelers have brought in return specialist and running back Cordarrelle Patterson on a two-year, $6 million deal.
Patterson spent the last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he worked under head coach Arthur Smith. Smith has now joined the Steelers as their offensive coordinator and was likely instrumental in the team signing Patterson.
Despite having a down year in 2023, Patterson still managed 21.9 yards per return for kickoffs and punts in 2023. He has been one of the best returners in the NFL since his entrance in the NFL in 2013.
What makes this signing far more significant for the Steelers is that the NFL just approved the new kickoff rule. The hybrid rule will combine the current NFL and past XFL kickoff return systems, which will alter the strategy that teams use for kickoffs.
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