Four-time Pro Bowl and Super Bowl champion Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the most versatile players in the NFL.
Patterson is a kick returner, wide receiver, and running back for the Atlanta Falcons. But, in recent years, long kickoff returns in the NFL have become increasingly rare.
During the NFL owners’ spring meetings in May, a new rule was passed that will likely incentivize kick returners to salute for fair catches. Low the new rulea returner may call for a fair catch anywhere within his 25-yard line.
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Cordarrelle Patterson (84) of the Atlanta Falcons runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a game on September 11, 2022 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
If the player opts to signal a fair catch, the receiving team’s offense takes over at the 25-yard line. The rule is billed as a one-year trial for the 2023 season.
Last season, during a Week 11 game against the Chicago Bears, Patterson recorded the ninth kickoff return touchdown of his career. He is the league’s all-time leader in that category after breaking a tie with Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington at eight.
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Despite the rule change, Patterson says he’ll approach next season the same way he did last year.
«I didn’t pay much attention to it because, honestly, I don’t feel like it affects what we have here too much because we’re going to be aggressive,» Patterson told USA Today. «That’s what the coach wants, that’s what he’s going to get from us. We’re going to fly.»
Atlanta running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs the ball during a game against the Chicago Bears on November 20, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He recognized that kickers might try to kick the ball high and short in an effort to prevent him from making a return.
«Honestly, it depends on the situation,» he said. «If they’re kicking the ball high up to the 10-yard line and the guy is 5 yards away [away from] Yo, why wouldn’t I just catch him? We’d get it in the 25th. It’s just being smart. We’re going to be aggressive, but we still have to be smart.»
Cordarrelle Patterson of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
But Patterson doesn’t seem satisfied with nine kickoff touchdown returns.
«I need to get to 10,» Patterson told reporters Tuesday. «I need to try to separate myself from a lot of people.»
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«I think it will be good to see him in the preseason, to see how each team adjusts,» Patterson added. «Not just the Atlanta Falcons, but the 31 other teams, to see how everyone else plays. Just try to be smart. Who knows? We’ll see what happens.»