Following the Rondale Moore injury and Jordan Addison's suspension, some Minnesota Vikings fans have been holding out hope that the team will make a trade for former purple and gold receiver Adam Thielen. However, reuniting with a different former Vikings pass-catcher, Cordarrelle Patterson, might be the better path for the team to take in the near future.
With Moore now being lost for the entire 2025 season, Minnesota has been scrambling to find a player who can step in as the team's new kick and punt returner. Well, Patterson is one of the best returners in NFL history, and he just happens to be a free agent right now.
And even though he has never really been known as a dominant wide receiver during his time in the league, at the very least, he could add some experience to the Vikings' current group of young pass-catchers.
Minnesota Vikings should reunite with Cordarrelle Patterson instead of Adam Thielen
During Saturday's preseason matchup against the New England Patriots, Minnesota rookie receiver Tai Felton received a kickoff and proceeded to fumble the ball during his return attempt. Thankfully, the football was recovered by the Vikings, but it was still a reminder that the team needs to find a returner who is more reliable with the ball in their hands.
A little later in the exhibition game, Minnesota wide receiver Myles Price took a kickoff and returned it 81 yards the other way. Some might point to Price as the Vikings' possible solution as a returner, but as a 5-foot-9 undrafted rookie receiver, he probably wouldn't add much to the team's offense. So, is he really worth keeping around if he's only going to contribute mainly on special teams?
That's why signing Patterson makes a lot more sense than some might believe. He's an immediate upgrade as a kick returner (and potential punt returner), and he can be utilized in Minnesota's offense as both a receiver and a running back (2,646 career rushing yards).
The Vikings have set their current roster up to be a contender in the NFC this season. There's no need to mess around with something like a returner that could potentially cost them critical victories. Stop hoping for a returner solution to magically appear when there's already one currently available in free agency.my