Training camp is in full swing for the New England Patriots, and so is a spot on the 53-man roster. Roughly 90 players entered camp looking for a job this season, and with new head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm, it will be imperative for incoming players to make a good first impression.
But while players will come and go over the next several weeks, it’s rare to see a player announce his departure from the team. That’s what happened to a former Patriots player that was an All-Pro during his career and told the world he was beginning a new chapter on social media Monday morning.
Former Patriots KR Cordarrelle Patterson Tells the World He’s Been Released By Steelers
Cordarrelle Patterson is a seven-time All-Pro kick returner and even won a Super Bowl ring during his time with the Patriots. But as he entered his age-34 season, he hopped on social media to inform everyone that he had been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Breaking news❗️❗️❗️Pittsburgh Steelers release old washed up cordarrelle patterson on his day off!!!
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) July 28, 2025
Patterson showed some humor with the announcement, saying that the Steelers had released an “old washed up” player “on his day off.” But it’s the latest twist in an unconventional career that included a stop in Foxborough.
The Tennessee product was a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2013 draft, but he had a hard time grasping his role as a receiver when Norv Turner joined the team as offensive coordinator in 2014. While Patterson had a hard time finding an offensive role, he thrived as a kick returner, earning All-Pro honors four times, including the 2018 season with the Patriots.
The 2018 season was also notable as Bill Belichick deployed Patterson as a running back at times, rushing for 228 yards and a touchdown while catching 21 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The move helped Patterson have a similar role with the Chicago Bears in 2019 and 2020 before he made the full-time position switch with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
The move helped Patterson become a gadget player in Arthur Smith’s offense, and Patterson followed Smith to Pittsburgh, who became the Steelers’ offensive coordinator after he was fired as head coach of the Falcons at the end of the 2023 season. Alas, Patterson’s lone year in Pittsburgh didn’t go well as he ran for 135 scoreless yards and caught 12 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
It’s uncertain where Patterson will end up after his latest release. But as Patterson’s decision to announce his own release shows, it’s best to expect the unexpected.