The expected is now reality in Atlanta, the new home of Cordarrelle Patterson.
Football's best return man is officially a Falcon, signing a one-year deal with Atlanta, the team announced Thursday. ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷ÍøNetwork's Mike Garafolo reported the contract is worth $3 million, per a source informed of the situation.
Patterson's signing followed a Wednesday visit with the team, which evidently convinced him to move to Georgia following two seasons spent in Chicago. Atlanta will be Patterson's fifth ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøhome in nine seasons, bringing with him a premier pedigree in the return game built upon eight career kick-return touchdowns and coming off two straight Pro Bowl appearances.
The four-time, first-team All-Pro return man isn't just a returning ace, of course. Patterson has plenty of experience as a receiver, running back and as the focus of gadget-style plays, too, bringing an element of unpredictability to the Falcons' offense whenever new coach Arthur Smith sees fit.
If nothing else, Patterson will be a threat to opponents when it comes time to kick off. He's already an instant upgrade, too: As our own Kevin Patra wrote Wednesday, Atlanta hasn't had a kick returning finish with more than 700 yards since Andre Roberts in 2017. Patterson has led the league in kick-return yards in each of his last two seasons, racking up 1,842 and two TDs. He's also scored a kick-return TD in each of his last three seasons (take that, Father Time).
After turning 30 in March -- his birthday is on St. Patrick's Day -- we'll see if Patterson can bring some luck to Atlanta in 2021.
