Home US NFL’s best-ever kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson signs two-year, $6m deal with the Steelers… as Pittsburgh hopes to take advantage of new rules

NFL’s best-ever kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson signs two-year, $6m deal with the Steelers… as Pittsburgh hopes to take advantage of new rules

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Former Atlanta Falcons utility player Cordarrelle Patterson signed with the Steelers
  • Patterson has more kickoffs returned for touchdowns than any other player.
  • The NFL recently adopted a new kickoff procedure for the upcoming season.
  • DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.

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One of the best returners in NFL history signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers just hours after owners agreed to new rules on kickoffs.

Cordarrelle Patterson has signed a two-year, $6 million contract in the Steel City.

Patterson is a utility offensive player who struggled to stay on the field last season with the Atlanta Falcons.

But he is best known for his return skills: He has returned more kickoffs for touchdowns than any other player in NFL history.

Over his career, he has accumulated 7,989 return yards and nine kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Former Atlanta Falcons utility player Cordarrelle Patterson signed with the Steelers

Former Atlanta Falcons utility player Cordarrelle Patterson signed with the Steelers

Patterson is best known for his prolific abilities as one of the greatest kickoff returners in history.

Patterson is best known for his prolific abilities as one of the greatest kickoff returners in history.

Patterson is best known for his prolific abilities as one of the greatest kickoff returners in history.

This comes as the NFL has introduced a radical change to the kickoff procedure for a single season.

For a standard kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up on the opposing 40-yard line, with five on each side of the field.

The returning team would have at least nine blockers lined up in the ‘setup zone’ between the 30 and 35 yards, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. Up to two returners would be allowed inside the 20.

Only the kicker and two returners may move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air may be returned, or the receiving team may opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or outside the end zone. would also result in a touchback at the 30.

Patterson has more kickoff returns for touchdowns than any other player in the NFL.

Patterson has more kickoff returns for touchdowns than any other player in the NFL.

Patterson has more kickoff returns for touchdowns than any other player in the NFL.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and enters the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned. Any kick received on the field of play must be returned.

Under current rules, any touchback, or if a returner calls for a fair catch in the field of play, results in the receiving team receiving the ball at its 25.

“This is our chance to keep the special teams in the game,” NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay said Monday, calling the current kickoff a dead play.

Pittsburgh SteelersAtlanta Falcons

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