The Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to ramp things up at training camp ahead of the 2025 season, and what this team is going to look like is starting to come to fruition. There are still plenty of question marks when it comes to certain positions and how the team will play, but the fan base should soon have a better idea of what to expect in 2025. After a handful of practices, there isn't seem to be too much injury concern for Pittsburgh. Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones are two people to watch on the injury front, but other than that, the top of the depth chart seems to be healthy, and then there is Cordarrelle Patterson.
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Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson stiff arms a Cleveland Browns' defender during a home game in Pittsburgh.
Patterson signed with Pittsburgh on a two-year deal ahead of the 2024 season. He was primarily used on special teams, but he also saw some action as a running back. He had some injury problems, but he was active for most of the year. Many fans were expecting him to be released during the 2025 offseason as Pittsburgh would save money if he didn't make the final roster, but he has stuck around.
There has been a bit of a mystery surrounding Patterson and his status. He was present at mandatory minicamp, but did not participate, and so far, the same has been true about training camp. The team has not said anything about him being injured or that he is dealing with anything; he just hasn't been participating. He doesn't have a practice jersey on at all, and he just stands off to the side.
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Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson during a drill in 2024.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed Patterson's situation briefly after the first day of practice in Latrobe. He mentioned that both Patterson and Jonnu Smith were day-to-day, but he didn't really elaborate outside of that. Smith is already back on the field, but it doesn't seem like Patterson will be any time soon. It is a bizarre move to keep him around, especially after he was ineffective as a kick returner during the 2024 season. He is also buried on the depth chart at running back, and there is no other spot for him to find a role on this roster in 2025.
The insiders around the team are also fairly split on the future of Patterson. Some believe there is a world where he is on the final roster in 2025, while others think there is no chance he is on the Steelers by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Historically, Patterson is one of the best kick returners of all time. He is probably a future Hall Of Famer, and that could be a reason he is still with Pittsburgh. The team might believe he has some value on the trade market, and by the time training camps are coming to a close around the league, another team could be desperate for help on special teams. Pittsburgh would not be able to get much for him, if anything, but it could be nice to bring in another day three pick for the future.
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Steelers' Arthur Smith looks on during a home game in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season.
Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson Has A Close Relationship With Coaching Staff
A big reason that Patterson was brought in to Pittsburgh was because of Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith was hired in Pittsburgh after being fired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and while he was coaching in Atlanta, Patterson was one of his best offensive weapons. He used Patterson as a running back and a wide receiver, and the two had some success with one another. That connection could be playing a role in Patterson still being on the roster.
Hopefully an update on the status of Patterson comes out in the near future that provides the fans with more clarity about what is going on. As of right now, it doesn't seem like Patterson is going to be practicing anytime soon, which makes it hard to believe he will be on the roster in 2025.
What do you think is going on with Patterson? Let us know in the comments below!
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