Much of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason has focused on, whilst not quite a full overhaul, certainly large tweaks to an offensive unit that vastly underperformed in 2023 relative to the talent on their roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers In The Midst Of An Offensive Shift
Although offensive improvements were demonstrable in the post-Matt Canada era, the team still ranked 25th in the league in total offense and 28th in total points; unimpressive stat lines for a team boasting the likes of Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Pat Freiermuth, George Pickens and Diontae and a top 10 offensive line in DVOA.
With all 5 of those starting linemen returning in 2024, the Steelers have jettisoned former first round pick, Kenny Pickett, in favor of former Super Bowl champion, Russell Wilson; bought in former Chicago Bears QB, Justin Fields to back him up; and traded away WR 1, Diontae Johnson.
Whilst replacements for Johnson have seemed meagre so far, with Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins being the only wide receiver signings in free agency, it is widely expected that Pittsburgh will address this position in the upcoming draft, where the Steelers have a spectacular record of drafting receivers.
Yet it seems like the Pittsburgh Steelers are not finished adding to their offensive personnel prior to the draft, as they are now signing former first round pick and 7 x (!!) All Pro (4 x first team, 3 x second team) to a two year deal, per Adam Schefter.
Former Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson reached agreement on a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per sources. Patterson reunites with his former HC Arthur Smith. pic.twitter.com/e6KKF2QZKh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers Taking Advantage Of Marginal Gains In All 3 Phases
Cordarrelle Patterson was, for a long time, the most feared kick returner in football – making the Pro Bowl 4 times, and one of the All-Pro teams a whopping 7 times en route to winning Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots in 2019.
In fact, he would be regarded by many as arguably the most notorious kick returner in the history of the game, not named Devin Hester, and even at 33 it seems like he still has a lot to give on offense and special teams.
Cordarrelle Patterson A True Dual-Phase Threat
Even though former Atlanta Falcons head coach, now Steelers offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, got the most out of Patterson on the offensive side of the ball, producing his best rushing/receiving career yards total back in 2021 with 1166 total offensive yards, it seems like an interesting “coincidence” that Patterson was signed just one day after the NFL amended its kickoff rules to push back the starting line for a touchback to the 30 yard line, essentially re-incentivizing kickoff returns after a lull in 2023.
However, it is safe to say that Arthur Smith will likely want to utilize the former All-Pro in both the running and receiving game, where he has had notorious success with him in the past, perhaps pairing him with unique quarterback athlete, Justin Fields, in sub-packages and trick plays.
If the Steelers make the necessary acquisitions, via draft or trade, at the wide receiver position prior to the start of the season, this could be quite the powerhouse offense – even by AFC standards.
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