Steelers' Omar Khan Under Fire After Alarming Special Teams Decision Backfires

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has done a lot of great things in his couple of years in charge of the team. However, no one is perfect and Khan has had a couple of mistakes brought to light. The first one many Steelers fans would point to is his wide receiver room and the reliance on George Pickens within the offense. Khan tried but wasn't able to get enough help for the offense to avoid relying solely on Pickens' playmaking abilities.

Another big mistake, or at least it appears to be after deep diving into the stats, is Khan’s decision to pay Cordarrelle Patterson $6 million for two years. Patterson was brought in with high expectations, but he hasn’t panned out as hoped. The Steelers were looking for an explosive playmaker to bolster their special teams and offense, but Patterson’s impact has been limited.

When you break down the numbers, it becomes even more concerning. Patterson ranks last in average yards per return among players with more than 10 returns in the 2024 season. This underperformance on special teams has led to questions about whether the investment was worth it, leaving Khan and the Steelers to reassess the decision moving forward.

Patterson was brought in due to the NFL’s new kickoff rule, with hopes that his proven return skills would elevate the Steelers' special teams. A standout return man throughout his career, Patterson is now 33 years old and coming off an injury. It’s clear he’s no longer the dynamic player he once was. While he has had a small role on offense, including an impressive touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens, he hasn’t made the kind of impact the Steelers were expecting.

Patterson has averaged just 21.8 yards per return on 11 kickoffs, with his longest return being a mere 33 yards. He was brought in to help spark the special teams unit, but so far, he’s fallen short of expectations. It’s likely that his age and the effects of his injury have caught up with him, leaving a noticeable gap in performance.

Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson Might Be A One And Done In Pittsburgh

Fortunately, the Steelers didn’t invest heavily in Patterson, but his underwhelming production has still caused some frustration. It’s a decision that leaves many in Steeler Nation questioning the move, especially when considering the lack of noticeable impact on the field. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers cut him before his contract ends after the 2024 season.

Having Patterson in the locker room has undoubtedly been a boost to team camaraderie. As a veteran presence, he is well-liked within the organization and brings valuable leadership. However, at the end of the day, production is what matters most. Steelers fans will remain hopeful that Patterson can make a meaningful impact in the postseason and fulfill the remainder of his contract with more consistent contributions.

Patterson was likely brought in due to his connection with Steelers' new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who played a pivotal role in reviving Patterson's career as both a running back and wide receiver. Under Smith’s guidance, Patterson was highly productive, but unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to replicate that success in Pittsburgh.