3 Atlanta Falcons on bargain deals heading into 2023

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Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kick against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cordarrelle Patterson

After Patterson’s breakout season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, it seemed a foregone conclusion Atlanta would lose the fan favorite in free agency. Instead, Patterson opted to sign a team-friendly deal one that will have just a $4.2 million base salary and a scheduled $5.5 million dollar cap hit in the 2023 season.

Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle were the Atlanta Falcons’ offense in the 2021 season and it seems very likely Patterson could have taken a more lucrative deal. Heading into the 2023 season Atlanta should be focused on putting Patterson back into the utility role and allow Allgeier to be the primary running back.

Patterson is great out of the backfield but is at his best when the offense has multiple ways to get him the football. Cordarrelle can return kicks, be in the backfield with Allgeier, or split out wide and play receiver at a high level. Arthur Smith needs to lean into this skill set more so as he did in Patterson’s first season with the team. Heading into his third season with Atlanta there is zero question that Patterson remains a fan favorite and a player who has a chance to be one of the biggest bargain veteran contracts in the 2023 season.

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