Cordarrelle Patterson agrees to phrases, stays with Atlanta Falcons

After a profession 12 months and publicly making his case to return to the Atlanta Falcons, Cordarrelle Patterson is getting his want. He is staying in Atlanta.

Patterson agreed to phrases with the Falcons on Saturday, a supply confirmed to ESPN, holding the multifaceted offensive participant with the staff that he has had essentially the most offensive success with in his profession.

He advised ESPN and the “From The Perch” podcast in late February he wished to return to the Falcons so long as it made sense for him and his household, saying, “Atlanta spoiled me” in 2021 with how he was used. He additionally made clear he want to break the NFL’s all-time kick return landing mark — he is tied for the all-time lead with eight touchdowns — in Atlanta with particular groups coordinator Marquice Williams.

Patterson set profession highs for speeding and receiving with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, operating for 618 yards and 6 touchdowns on 153 carries, whereas catching 52 passes for 548 yards and 5 touchdowns.

A part of what made Patterson’s profession renaissance intriguing was his change in positions. Initially drafted as a large receiver by the Minnesota Vikings within the first spherical of the 2013 NFL draft, he grew to become a full-time operating again — usually break up out broad — underneath Falcons first-year head coach Arthur Smith.

Patterson, 31, greater than doubled his earlier season excessive in carries (64 in 2020) and had his most targets as a receiver for the reason that 2016 season with the Vikings. He usually expressed his want to return to the Falcons towards the tip of the season and early within the offseason, utilizing social media — and his cleats — to steer Atlanta to maintain him after one of the best offensive season of his profession.

After leaving Minnesota following the 2016 season, Patterson bounced between the Raiders in Oakland, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears earlier than touchdown in Atlanta. Earlier than the 2021 season, Patterson, a four-time Professional Bowl choice and four-time All-Professional, was finest often known as one of many prime kick returners of all time, with 257 profession returns for 7,552 yards and eight touchdowns. His eight kick-return touchdowns are tied for tops in NFL historical past, and his kick-return common of 29.four yards is third finest in NFL historical past.

NFL Community was first to report Patterson’s settlement with the Falcons.