The Bucs And Cordarrelle Patterson
July 30th, 2025
So the Bucs have a win-now mindset, a pile of salary cap room and some issues with their running backs depth.
Todd Bowles even said last night that with bubble running backs Josh Williams and DJ Williams banged up and not practicing, the team may have to find a replacement.
“Depending on how long they’re out, we’re going to need to address it because we’re kind of short back there now,” Bowles said.
That brings Joe to borderline Pro Football Hall of Fame running back/returner/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. The four-time All-Pro returner and All-Decade player (2010s) was just cut by the Steelers.
With Atlanta in 2021 and 2022, Patterson finally got a shot to carry the ball a significant amount. Over those two seasons he averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 297 rushes with 14 touchdowns. He also caught 73 balls, 5 for touchdowns.
But Patterson has not been himself the past two seasons with minor injuries and not being used the same way. He wasn’t good as a kick returner last year but averaged 4.2 yards per carry on 32 rushes for the Steelers. He also caught a dozen balls.
At 34 years old, Joe’s not sure Patterson wants to ride the bench like he would in Tampa, but he might want a shot at a second Super Bowl ring. And he’s smart enough to know injuries happen at all positions. He’d also come cheap.
Joe assumes the attraction for the Bucs, if there is one, would be Patterson’s versatility and experience.
Joe’s not saying to sign the guy, but he’s certainly worth a serious thought.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht did sign mostly washed out stud running backs LeSean McCoy (2020) and Le’Veon Bell (2021), so it’s not unreasonable to think Licht might look to a veteran. And, like Joe wrote, Patterson comes with versatility.
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July 30th, 2025 at 4:24 pm
Short back there….really! Tucker barely saw the field and I don’t see 2 of the 3 solid backs getting hurt at the same time. Maybe if White or Bucky gets banged up then Tucker will finally get to see some well deserved action.
July 30th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
A washed up RB in his mid 30s? No thank you.
I assumed they’re looking for depth through training camp because they have Bucky, White, & Tucker once the season rolls around.
HOF? 2600 rushing yards, 2800 receiving yards?
Probably a top 10 return guy all time, but that does not get you the Hall of Fame
July 30th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Joe, you’re going in your way-back-machine….WAY BACK for a back
July 30th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
No. Just no.
July 30th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Can he play left tackle? Two corners just went down, one for the Browns one for the Dolphins. Good time to get something for Dean.
July 30th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Joes, I gotta know… what numbers are you looking at that makes him borderline HoF? I may have to ask yall to discuss this with the founder and President of the Jamel Dean Fan Club, Ira Kaufman on yalls podcast.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Patterson was a darn good player for a few years but looks worn out now. To paraphrase the great John McKay, running backs are like grass, they’re everywhere. Should be another young guy out there with fresh legs and the hunger to go with it.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
A RB with 12 seasons of wear and tear? Sounds like a waste of roster and salary cap space. With Irving, White, and Tucker Bucs are pretty well set for roster. Shouldn’t be too hard finding a 4th back to park on Practice Squad for injury fill-in, at minimum cost.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
How are we thin at rb? Tucker looks like easily the second best rusher on the team and has zero miles on him. Spend money elsewhere
July 30th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
He would’ve had a much better HOF candidacy had he also returned Punts, like Devin Hester did. Since, Hester had TWICE as many total returns as Patterson, thus TWICE the number of total Return TD’s. I remember the very first time I ever saw him on a football field, when he was at Tennessee. He was a BEAST. Just ‘looked’ different than everyone else on th field. A MONSTER. Was just a “MAN” amongst a bunch of “Little Boys” out there. SO Explosive, too! He as a helluva player, and ended up having one helluva loooong NFL Career for himself.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
No no no!
July 30th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
That DT Las Vegas cut is a more tempting use of those salary cap dollars.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
He’s a name…
July 30th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
3-4 years ago this would’ve be a no-brainer, but I’m seeing we just signed a guy name Owen Wright. Used to play for the Ravens
July 30th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
Joe B. Trollin’ lol.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Nope, Bucs need to add to depth for another vet OLB/DE rusher or a save some cap for a more experienced OT. Not sold on Heck or McCellan yet.
July 30th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Until Tuck is getting 20 touches/game, there should be no touches for a 4th RB.
Tuck should get more than R White if we are basing it on talent with the ball in hand. Tucker is s better RB, and he’s at least equally as good on passes out of the backfield as White.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Jason has a list, no doubt. If we need someone, he will grab someone.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
No he is not
July 30th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Need some camp meat – at a minimum go get some UDFA back from An Ivy League school. At least he’ll be smart.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Any update on the Josh Williams injury……it is “undisclosed”
Surely we know more than that…..
July 30th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
I was unaware that Josh Williams got hurt.
Based on Joe’s practice notes, he was certainly catching the attention of the coaches.
It certainly won’t cost us anything to kick the tires on Patterson.
But, I agree with others.
Sean Tucker needs a real chance to show what he can do.
Patterson isn’t playing like he was a few years ago.
If he’s ok with a limited role, I’d be ok with that.
But, I also think we have a few other more pressing positional needs.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
D-Rome Says:
July 30th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
He’s a name…
_________
Exactly, and Joe has a thing for washed up commodities.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
The Bucs need to trade Rachaad White and Trey Palmer
They are not giving them a fair chance to compete
Because they don’t fit into their future plans
July 30th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Uhhhhhh no!
July 30th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
They signed RB Owen Wright for Camp Meat
July 30th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
I don’t care. It’s just camp, bring in everyone and see what they got.
July 30th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
H- Back / Hybrid TE ……. The guy is beyond athletic with Great hands …….. No LB can cover him even at this age and he can work surprise carries and keep a D totally out of any comfort zone ……. I don’t think most people understand how truly talented Patterson is.
July 30th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
This hints more to what some think and that is that Bucky may be injured due to his limited snaps
July 30th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
I think Jason is talking about camp meat – being short on RBs to practice adequately.
July 30th, 2025 at 8:51 pm
Y not play off Lenny he sitting on the couch somewhere and should be cheep
July 30th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Pass. We MAYBE need a camp body to take the load off of the big 3 in PS games and we already have plenty of potential returners. I’m out on this.
July 30th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
he’s a guy you grab if injuries kick in and you hope to catch lightning in a bottle…
with the roster construction as of now, no need for him imho
July 30th, 2025 at 11:20 pm
Someone has to play the pre season games!
July 30th, 2025 at 11:47 pm
I thought he retired 5 years ago. Amazing he’s been able to cash a nfl check this long.
July 30th, 2025 at 11:55 pm
I’ve been admiring that guy for years and hoping he’d end up a Buc somehow for years as well.
July 31st, 2025 at 3:49 am
so i guess aaron rodgers wanted him cut
July 31st, 2025 at 8:22 am
they are good with the rbs as they are! go short in the rb room to have depth at other positions, keep ko keift as number 4 fullback lol he can play te and special teams
July 31st, 2025 at 9:05 am
Stanglassman
Ask AWJ jr about that. When he sees Patterson running at him, he went into “business decision” mode
July 31st, 2025 at 9:43 am
Stopped reading the article first couple of sentences, what are you smoking?
July 31st, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Just as a returner