Vikings impending free agent Cordarrelle Patterson mentioned during an appearance on the podcast “Pardon My Take” that he would “love” to play running back in the NFL.
“I would love to play running back,” Patterson said, via TwinCities.com. “I think any receiver in my position would love to play running back. People always say, ‘He’s just a running back when he gets the ball in his hands.‘ ”
We’ve seen other receivers such as Ty Montgomery make the transition to running back and have success in the NFL at the position, so it’s possible that Patterson could have a bigger impact if he got some work as a running back next year.
The Vikings have been trying to get the ball in Patterson’s hands, given his play-making ability, since he entered the NFL, but he hasn’t developed into a consistent receiving weapon for them.
This past week, Patterson told Conor Orr of NFL.com that he wants to ensure whoever he’s playing for next year will use him or he’s willing to “take my talents elsewhere.”
“Of course, man. Two years I spent damn near on the sideline,” Patterson said. “That’s never a good feeling for any player. No player wants to go through that. I need to know if I’m going to play or not. If not, I’ll take my talents elsewhere.”
Patterson did have some positive things to say about OC Pat Shurmur, who took over for Norv Turner during the season.
“Pat told me ‘Let’s get you the ball’” Patterson said. “And I saw a lot of that happening for me. It was good for me. I love when I get the ball in my hands and Pat likes to get the ball to me. No matter who you are, he’s trying to spread the ball around. He’s not going to focus on one or two guys.
“I felt like Pat was more of a player’s coach, he kind of got it. He was trying to do some different things than Norv was doing.”
As for whether he’s in the Viking’ plans, Patterson said he wasn’t sure what the team is thinking right now.
“I really don’t know,” Patterson said. “It’s all up to the Vikings, I’m a free agent starting in March and it’s all what the Vikings want to do. If they want me back, they’ll (make a deal) and get me back.”
Patterson, 25, was taken in the first round of the 2013 draft by the Vikings. He played out his four-year, $7,221,046 contract with the Vikings but the team elected to not pick up his fifth-year option last year, which is why he’s in line to be an unrestricted free agent in the coming months.
In 2016, Patterson appeared in all 16 games and caught 52 passes for 453 yards receiving and two touchdowns while adding 792 kick return yards and a touchdown on special teams.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.
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