The Pittsburgh Steelers brought numerous new faces to the organization during the 2024 NFL offseason. When the Steelers hired Arthur Smith to be the team's new offensive coordinator, many assumed that he would attempt to bring along some of his favorite players from the years he had spent with the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. That quickly became a reality when the Steelers signed running back and special teams returner Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year contract.
Having no choice but to get his reps behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, Patterson saw limited action throughout 2024. Patterson actually showed promise during the 2024 preseason, but then being unavailable due to injuries set him back. A lot of fans were mostly excited about the arrival of Patterson in Pittsburgh in hopes that the all-time kick return touchdown leader would give the special teams unit a spark.
Patterson concluded his first season in the black and gold with 32 carries, averaging 4.2 yards a run. Scoring no touchdowns either on the ground or returning, Patterson took back 11 kickoffs with his longest return being 33 yards. There were a few occasions in 2024 where Patterson expressed his frustrations about his involvement with the offense.
Once Pittsburgh's season came to an end, most were expecting the Steelers to release Patterson as a cap casualty. However, Patterson remains on the Steelers' roster after losing Harris to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. On Friday, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked if Patterson will be on the 2025 roster in Pittsburgh.
"Yes," Fittipaldo said. "They could have saved I think three and a half million dollars on their cap if they cut him in March, but usually if they don't cut a guy in March, that mean's he's got a pretty good shot at making the roster. But let's see how it all works out. Kenneth Gainwell is here, they're gonna draft a running back. He could be cut in September and we'd all be happy about it, I suppose."
Pittsburgh is still looking to add to the running back group, whether the team does that through the draft or free agency is anybody's guess right now. All directions point to the Steelers selecting a back at some point during the draft in a few weeks.
If the Steelers decide to keep Patterson for his entire two-year contract through the 2025 season, it's likely because of two reasons: Arthur Smith and depth. Patterson was one of Smith's favorite backs during their times in Atlanta from 2021 to 2023.
Patterson's 2023 rushing numbers were quite similar to how he performed with the Steelers, but his first two seasons with the Falcons were strong. Patterson rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 14 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons in Atlanta, as well as five receiving touchdowns in 2021. Patterson hasn't been able to produce for an offense since 2022, and there aren't many reasons to believe that will change for Smith and the Steelers in 2025.
Steelers May Pull Surprising Move By Drafting Running Back Early
It became obvious that the Steelers were ready to start planning for the future at running back when they opted not to sign Harris to his fifth-year option, which would have been less than seven million dollars for 2025.
Despite rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons as a Steeler, Harris just didn't have the burst that many would hope a former first-round selection would have. Along with quarterback and potentially wide receiver, the running back position remains as one of the biggest question marks within the offense.
The majority of Steelers insiders are expecting the Steelers to select a defensive lineman within their first two selections, but it could be possible that they decide to take a running back early. In a 2025 class loaded with talent from top to bottom, the Steelers should be able to find a starting-caliber running back either in the early or mid rounds.
