Participant: RB Cordarrelle Patterson
Inventory Worth: Down
Reasoning: Cordarrelle Patterson is just not doing himself any favors for a participant who may be very firmly on the roster bubble. With beat writers overtly questioning why he nonetheless has a job, he’s presently not in a position to follow. The Steelers seem to have three working backs they intend to maintain, however can he preserve his kick returner job?
I made the seemingly daring, albeit low-stakes danger of predicting Cordarrelle Patterson would make the Steelers’ 53-man roster on my preliminary roster projection. My logic was that if the Steelers meant to chop him and save cap area, they wouldn’t have introduced him to camp. Subsequently, on the very least, his presence signifies he’s competing for a job.
However Patterson can’t compete for any type of job when he’s watching from the sidelines in sweatpants. He’s presently “daily”, within the phrases of Mike Tomlin, for undisclosed harm causes. For an growing older participant going through questions on his conditioning habits, this solely amplifies the priority.
Final yr, the Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson hoping he may spark their kick return recreation. He did the exact reverse, and helped them compete for the worst unit within the NFL. After the season, Tomlin unfold the blame round, maybe a sign they hope to present the entire enterprise a once-over.
However what’s going on with him? In line with reporters, Patterson didn’t take part in minicamp, both, so is he wholesome or what? And if he’s wholesome, why isn’t he working towards? And if he isn’t working towards, then why is he below contract? There are a whole lot of issues about his standing that I don’t presently perceive, together with how the Steelers view him.
In the meantime, the Steelers are exploring Kenneth Gainwell at huge receiver and a punt returner. Many imagine he would be the staff’s major kick returner this yr, as nicely, however time will inform. If Cordarrelle Patterson can’t even get on the sphere, they might not have a alternative. However even when or when Patterson is again in fee, how are they in holding him?
With coaching camp underway and the Steelers exploring their new roster, it’s as soon as once more time to “take inventory”. It took some time, however we lastly noticed a few of that change the staff talked about after the season ended. Definitely, the transfer to commerce for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, to not point out the accompanying contract. Oh, and so they additionally traded some man named George Pickens, which individuals discovered important.
As we converse, we’re within the strategy of studying what this Steelers staff goes to seem like. The mud is settled on each free company and the 2025 NFL Draft, and now we’re in camp. What different strikes may the staff make, maybe surprising acquisitions or departures? They’ve actually made a flurry of strikes, although some query whether or not they make a lot distinction. It is a Steelers staff ravenous for postseason success, however how determined are they for a playoff win in 2025?
