The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an odd 2025 offseason to this point, but the majority of the focus has surrounded the quarterback position. The help at wide receiver has finally arrived after the acquisition of DK Metcalf, but no one is sure just yet who will be throwing the ball to him and George Pickens consistently. Another question mark is present at the running back spot. Jaylen Warren will be in line for the starting role, but it is almost certain that the franchise will decide to draft a ball-carrier as well. This would potentially make one of the current members of the roster expendable.
With Warren being at the top of the depth chart and Kenneth Gainwell recently being signed, it's quite possible that the Steelers would entertain releasing Cordarrelle Patterson if a rookie is selected in the first few rounds. Many expected the veteran to be out of Pittsburgh by now, but that hasn't ended up being the case just yet in the Steel City.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hosted a fan chat on Tuesday to discuss all things Steelers. Someone brought up Patterson and asked the reporter who Patterson's biggest fan is. He all but confirmed what many in the fan base has thought for roughly a year now. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith was one of the biggest reasons why the organization signed the legendary return man.
"He played for Arthur Smith in Atlanta, so I think that's the connection," Fittipaldo wrote. "Surely it can't be from any impression he made on Steelers coaches last year."
It is possible that the Steelers keep Patterson around to return kicks in 2025, but he should be pretty much nonexistent in the backfield if the team ends up drafting a running back. The new kickoff rules were a big component of the Patterson free agency signing in 2024, but it's pretty clear that Smith had some kind of say in the process. The fact that Patterson hasn't been released proves that theory even more.
Fittipaldo noted that no one else in the Steelers' building can be fascinated by the idea of Patterson on the roster after his 2024 performance. He is a respectable veteran who deserves his props for an incredible career, but it's hard to believe that many in the front office and on the coaching staff feel he provides an irreplaceable skill set.
Smith, on the other hand, saw Patterson have some very big moments during the duo's time with the Atlanta Falcons, leading to Fittipaldo believing that Pittsburgh's play-caller is the number one reason why the ball-carrier and special teams ace is still on the roster ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. It will be interesting to see how Patterson reacts to another running back entering the room. His duties could strictly fall to special teams with the other three guys ahead of him on offense.
The draft can be unpredictable, which could be a main reason why the Steelers elected to keep Patterson around as the new league year got underway. The main connection, however, is Patterson to Smith. There shouldn't be a doubt in anybody's mind that the team's signing of the veteran came because of the Smith hire. It will seriously frustrate much of the fan base if he gets more offensive action in 2025 over Warren, Gainwell, or a rookie.
Steelers Need Dominant Rushing Attack In 2025 To Accomplish Goals
Pittsburgh wants to be a run-first, play-action type of team. That approach did not go swimmingly in 2024 for many reasons. Moving forward, the best ball-carriers need to get the majority of the touches, which should lead to Patterson strictly being involved in special teams. He wasn't even above average in kick returning in 2024, which is why many are scratching their heads about him being back for the second year of his two-year deal.
