At one time, the Green Bay Packers had to deal with prolific kick returner and Swiss Army weapon Cordarelle Patterson more than most teams as an NFC North rival. The former 29th pick began his career with four seasons in Minnesota, then later joined Chicago. Patterson spent last year in Pittsburgh. But his time as teammate to ex-Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was short-lived: Patterson himself announced his release Monday on twitter. Despite the miles on his tires, nostalgic NFC North fans poured in with invitations.
Former NFC North menace Patterson needs new home
From what’s suggested in Patterson’s post, let alone the fact that he broke his own news, the parting does not seem to have come on good terms.
“Breaking news,” Patterson tweeted, followed by three red exclamation points. “Pittsburgh Steelers release old washed up cordarrelle patterson on his day off!!!”
After practicing Thursday through Sunday, the Steelers have Monday off. Designated day-to-day (no specifics), Patterson did not participate in camp except to appear on the field wearing a hoodie on Saturday and Sunday.
Now 34, with 12 seasons under his belt, the once dynamic speedster is slowing down. Always a multi-threat offensive piece, last season in 13 games he carried the ball 32 times (135 yards), caught 12 passes (80), and returned 11 kicks (240). His recorded his sole touchdown as a receiver.
In his hey day, Patterson was one of the league’s premier returners, racking up 8,229 kick return yards and an all-time record nine touchdowns. Three times each he led the NFL with the season’s longest return (including a 109-yard scamper as a 2013 rookie) and in average yards per run back.
Three times as well he eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark: twice in Minnesota (2013, 2015) and once with the Bears (2020). Both years in Chicago he led the league in total return yards.
Patterson was deployed primarily as a running back in recent years. He has compiled 2,875 career receiving yards (17 TDs) and 2,646 on the ground (22 TDs). His career-best season as a back and receiver came in 2021 with the Falcons, when he amassed 11 scores and 1,166 scrimmage yards.
Although his legs are no longer fresh, he attracted plenty of reunion pleas from fans of former teams, as well as a representative from a third NFC North franchise.
Need you back at Chicago goat
— 🗽Sam (@PolesIsHim) July 28, 2025
Time to come home to Minnesota
— TeamCharb (@TeamCharb) July 28, 2025
Come to Detroit, we love jack of all trade skill position players.
— James Gullett (@gullett_james) July 28, 2025
Green Bay Packers are good with what they’ve got
Supporters from Atlanta, where Patterson spent 2021-23, and New England (2018) also reserved a roster spot for his services. The Eagles, Giants, and 49ers too had patrons pitching their squads as a Patterson retirement home. He’s lost a step, several at that, but he was just that good in his prime. The hype lives on.
As for the Packers, they have had some training camp fun trying tight end Tucker Kraft as a returner. Presumably, they will again turn to cornerback Keisean Nixon for the bulk of kick opportunities. Receiver Jayden Reed was the main man on punt returns in 2024.
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