After Cordarrelle Patterson’s sudden release a week into training camp, the Steelers are officially down their top kickoff returner from 2024.
The Pittsburgh running back hierarchy seems set heading into the preseason, but the returner depth chart tends to stay fluid until the very end.
The Steelers use two kickoff returners, and one spot is all but guaranteed to be filled by free agent addition Kenneth Gainwell. The former Eagles running back was the starting kick returner for Philadelphia last year, and his 25.3 yards per return outpaced Patterson’s 21.8 in 2024.
Gainwell should fill what Patterson’s role was last year, from returns all the way to a handful of offensive snaps per game.