History of Cordarrelle Patterson in Timeline

Cordarrelle Patterson, nicknamed "Flash", is a versatile American football player in the NFL. He is known for his ability to play running back, wide receiver, return specialist, and occasionally defense. Patterson's college career started with the Hutchinson Blue Dragons before transferring to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he achieved first-team All-SEC recognition. Drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, his NFL journey includes stints with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and presently, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1967: Sayers' Record-Breaking Kickoff Return

Sayers set the Chicago Bears' franchise record for the longest kickoff return in 1967 with a 103-yard score.

1987: Reggie Cobb Sets School Record for All-Purpose Yards

In 1987, Reggie Cobb set a school record for all-purpose yards at the University of Tennessee.

March 17, 1991: Cordarrelle Patterson is Born

Cordarrelle Patterson was born on March 17, 1991.

September 30, 2007: Chicago Bears Last Allowed Kickoff Return Touchdown

The Chicago Bears last allowed a kickoff return touchdown on September 30, 2007.

2008: Cordarrelle Patterson Leads High School Team to Championship Game

In 2008, Cordarrelle Patterson led his high school football team to the State Class 4A Division II championship game.

2009: Cordarrelle Patterson Begins Post-Graduate Year

In 2009, Cordarrelle Patterson started his post-graduate year at North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy but did not play football and left before spring to enroll at Hutchinson Community College.

2010: Cordarrelle Patterson is Recognized as an NJCAA All-American

In 2010, Cordarrelle Patterson was recognized as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American.

October 2011: Devin Hester's NFC Special Teams Player of the Month Award

Devin Hester won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month award in October 2011.

2011: Cordarrelle Patterson Earns First-Team All-American Honors on Offense

As a sophomore in 2011, Cordarrelle Patterson earned First-Team All-American honors on offense and was named the 2011 Jayhawk Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

2011: Cordarrelle Patterson is Recognized as an NJCAA All-American

In 2011, Cordarrelle Patterson was recognized as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American.

2012: Cordarrelle Patterson Commits to University of Tennessee

Cordarrelle Patterson was a highly touted recruit in 2012 coming out of Hutchinson Community College and ultimately chose to attend the University of Tennessee.

2012: Cordarrelle Patterson Makes Immediate Impact at Tennessee

In 2012, Cordarrelle Patterson played for the Tennessee Volunteers and made an immediate impact with his athletic ability and offensive versatility, setting a school record for all-purpose yards.

January 9, 2013: Cordarrelle Patterson Announces Intention to Enter NFL Draft

Cordarrelle Patterson, along with some of his college teammates, announced his intention to leave college early and declare for the 2013 NFL draft on January 9, 2013.

2013: Cordarrelle Patterson Finishes Rookie Year

Cordarrelle Patterson had a strong rookie year in 2013, catching 45 passes for 469 yards and 5 touchdowns.

2013: Cordarrelle Patterson Ties NFL Record for Longest Play

In 2013, Cordarrelle Patterson tied the NFL record for the longest play and set the record for the longest kick return with 109 yards.

2013: Cordarrelle Patterson is Drafted into the NFL

In 2013, Cordarrelle Patterson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the NFL draft.

2013: Cordarrelle Patterson is Selected in the NFL Draft

In 2013, Cordarrelle Patterson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

January 2, 2014: Cordarrelle Patterson Selected to Play in Pro Bowl

Cordarrelle Patterson was selected to play in the Pro Bowl on January 2, 2014.

January 3, 2014: Cordarrelle Patterson Named to AP All-Pro Team

Cordarrelle Patterson was named as a starter on the 2013 Associated Press (AP) All-Pro team as the kick returner on January 3, 2014.

2014: Disappointing Season with the Vikings

Cordarrelle Patterson had a disappointing season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, catching only 33 passes for 384 yards and one touchdown. He lost his starting position to Charles Johnson and dropped to fourth on the team's depth chart.

2015: Playoff Appearances with the Vikings

Cordarrelle Patterson participated in his first playoff game since the 2015 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

2016: Pro Bowl Selection and Continued Kick Return Success

Despite struggling as a receiver in 2016, Cordarrelle Patterson remained a successful kick returner. He was named to his second Pro Bowl and second First-team All-Pro, both as a returner. He also scored a kickoff return touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11.

March 13, 2017: Signing with the Raiders

On March 13, 2017, Cordarrelle Patterson signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.

September 10, 2017: Raiders Debut

Cordarrelle Patterson made his debut for the Oakland Raiders on September 10, 2017, in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. He had limited offensive contributions but served as the kickoff returner.

2017: Season Totals with the Raiders

Cordarrelle Patterson concluded the 2017 season with 31 receptions for 309 yards, 13 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns, and 19 returns for 538 yards.

March 18, 2018: Trade to the Patriots

On March 18, 2018, the Oakland Raiders agreed to trade Cordarrelle Patterson and a 2018 sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2018 fifth-round pick.

March 13, 2019: Signing with the Bears

Cordarrelle Patterson signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Chicago Bears on March 13, 2019.

December 17, 2019: Pro Bowl Selection and NFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Cordarrelle Patterson was voted into the 2020 Pro Bowl roster as a starter on December 17, 2019. He was also named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2019, becoming the first Bears player to win the award since Devin Hester in October 2011.

December 21, 2020: All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection

Cordarrelle Patterson was named an All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season on December 21, 2020. He led the league in kickoff returns and yards per return at the time of the roster reveal.

2020: Pro Bowl Selection

Cordarrelle Patterson was selected for the 2020 Pro Bowl.

April 15, 2021: Signing with the Falcons

Cordarrelle Patterson signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons on April 15, 2021.

2021: Career-High Season with the Falcons

Cordarrelle Patterson had a career-high season in 2021 with 153 rushes for 618 rushing yards, 52 receptions for 548 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns.

March 22, 2022: Re-Signing with the Falcons

Cordarrelle Patterson re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 22, 2022, for a two-year, $10.5 million contract. He entered the 2022 season as the Falcons' starting running back.

October 3, 2022: Placement on Injured Reserve

Cordarrelle Patterson was placed on injured reserve on October 3, 2022, after aggravating a knee injury in Week 4.

November 2, 2022: Designated to Return from Injured Reserve

Cordarrelle Patterson was designated to return from injured reserve on November 2, 2022.

2022: Ranking in NFL Top 100 Players

Cordarrelle Patterson was ranked 73rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

2023: Third on Running Back Depth Chart

Cordarrelle Patterson appeared in 14 games during the 2023 season but fell to third on the running back depth chart behind rookie Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.