For now, Omar Khan is merely playing with us.
For us at SteelCityInsider, at least.
Cordarrelle Patterson signed a two-year, $6 million contract with Khan less than an hour after the taping of SCI’s Podcast No. 102, which featured special guest Trai Essex asking me if I knew of any great kick returners in the NFL to take advantage of the NFL’s new kickoff rule.Although Patterson is the only truly outstanding KR in today’s game, I neglected to mention him.It was, at least, once.
Can he still be that guy at 33? Arthur Smith, at least, seems to think so.
After three seasons as head coach in Atlanta, Patterson is now the offensive coordinator for the Steelers. Despite not making the all-star team in those later seasons, Patterson was a four-time Pro Bowler and a unique threat at wide receiver, running back, and return specialist.
When Patterson, a wide receiver by trade, started in the backfield against the Steelers in a 2022 game, the team got a small taste of the versatile player’s abilities. On 11 carries, he gained 60 yards (5.5 ypc). Tyler Allgeier, who went on to rush for over 1,000 yards that season, was the co-starter in Smith’s backfield.
Patterson’s numbers, of course, were accomplished against the now-archaic rules by which most kicks – particularly with Patterson aligned as a returner – sailed out of the end zone.
Now, the rules have been altered to penalize kickers for sailing the ball out of the end zone. And potential tacklers have less of a running start and less time to pursue return men.
Obviously, Patterson has the size and speed – even at 33 – to take advantage of these new rules. And he’ll also provide a swing player at both RB and WR, positions in need of depth.Naturally, Patterson’s stats were achieved in defiance of the antiquated regulations that mandated most kicks to sail out of the end zone, especially when Patterson was lined up as a returner.
Kickers who sail the ball out of the end zone will now be penalized under the new rules. Additionally, there is less time and less running start for prospective tacklers to go after return men.
Even at 33, Patterson clearly possesses the size and quickness to benefit from these new regulations. Additionally, he will offer depth at both RB and WR, where there is a need for a swing player.
