Chicago Bears finding role for Cordarrelle Patterson

The Chicago Bears were creative in their usage of Cordarrelle Patterson on Thursday

When the Chicago Bears signed Cordarrelle Patterson, it became an interesting proposition. Patterson is a dynamic and versatile weapon and with a creative play-caller like Matt Nagy, the possibilities were endless.

However, while Nagy tried, he could never press the right buttons with Patterson, and while he was involved early on, he faded out of the offense.

As tight end injuries started to pile up, Patterson noted that he would try to make the change to help the team. He is versatile after all. After a few weeks, and some clamoring, we saw a small touch of Patterson at tight end.

In the first play below, he lines up flexed to the left of Charles Leno. He runs a quick curl and Trubisky looks the other way. Still, he is technically in the tight end spot with this personnel grouping.

Patterson caught a pass from this spot as well. Patterson faked as if he were blocking and flared out to the flats. On third and nine, Patterson broke tackles and raced ahead for 33 yards. The idea has always been getting the ball in his hands and watch him work. They have struggled to get him the ball in space but flexing him as a tight end helped.

In the second quarter, we even saw him block from his flexed stance. Patterson does not have great technique and is not a prime blocker. However, he did his job on this play and made the block.

Patterson is not going to automatically transition to tight end. However, the fact that a player who has lined up out wide, and in the backfield can at least stand there for matchup purposes adds to his value. He is a big body, and if they can add some blocking technique, he could be a huge benefit in 2020.

The Bears also ran a wildcat play to Patterson that got stuffed for a loss. Still, the idea is continuing to find creative ways to use him. They will hit eventually, and as Nagy gets comfortable with what works and what doesn’t, he can get more out of Patterson.

2019 may be a learning year as Nagy realizes what he has. Could 2020 be a year where Patterson is implemented as a versatile weapon who can get significant offensive stats?