Longtime NFL veteran wide receiver and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson signed a new contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Patterson spent the 2021 season with the Falcons.
The #Falcons have agreed to terms with WR/RB/S Cordarrelle Patterson for the do-everything guy to return to Atlanta, source says.
Arthur Smith, Dave Ragone & Co. keep a key offensive piece coming off career-highs in touches (205), yards from scrimmage (1166) and TDs (11).
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 19, 2022
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Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons, Agree to Contract
Patterson surged in 2021 behind the Arthur Smith-Dave Ragone scheme. He ended the season with 153 carries, 618 yards, and six touchdowns on the ground. He also added 52 receptions, 548 yards, and five touchdowns receiving. This was the first season that Patterson accumulated double-digit touchdowns on just the offensive side of the ball.
Patterson became a do-it-all player for the Falcons when nothing else in the Atlanta offense was working. Calvin Ridley only played five games, while Mike Davis was a shell of his former self. Matt Ryan could not get many passes off behind a horrid offensive line while other receivers struggled to generate separation on their routes.
Enter Cordarrelle Patterson, who was little more than a gadget-guy/return specialist coming into the season. For Patterson, this is not a knock on his talent. He is second in kick-return touchdowns behind the incomparable Devin Hester. Patterson was no stranger to the offensive side of the ball. He had eight rushing and ten receiving touchdowns going into the 2021 season. However, he was a four-time pro-bowler and four-time, first-team All-Pro player at the kick returner position.
Patterson was drafted 29th overall in the 2013 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He immediately impacted the special teams unit. Patterson recorded two kick return touchdowns during his rookie season. He would end up with five kick return touchdowns in his four years as a Viking. He would also show his ability to be a hybrid wide receiver/running back option. After four years with the Vikings, Patterson signed to play with the Oakland Raiders. After it did not work in Oakland, he was traded to the New England Patriots after one year. He was then traded again to the Chicago Bears and showed his athletic ability and prowess as a kick returner.
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