ATL Standard

Whether Cordarrelle Patterson will remain with the Falcons is anyone’s guess as the nine-year veteran mulls his next step.

Patterson, who plays running back, wide receiver and special teams, approaches the end of a one-year, $3 million contract he signed with Atlanta last April.

Last season was arguably the best in Patterson’s career as he set highs for himself in rushing yards (618), touches (153), catches (52) and total touchdowns (11).

When NFL free agency begins in two months, there’s no doubt Patterson will be among the most-sought on the market.

He hinted a few times that he wants to play the rest of his career in Atlanta, according to a team issued press release.

In the season finale against the New Orleans Saints – 30-20 loss – Patterson wore cleats that bore the following message, "Why not retire in Atlanta?” which the Falcons’ official Twitter account shared during the game.

The release added that Patterson expressed admiration toward owner Arthur Smith.

"You'd be a fool to not want to play for Art, especially this year with the foundation that he's been building and the chemistry that he's building with these guys in this locker room on and off the field," he said, according to the Falcons’ website. "For a guy like me, I'd be a fool to not want to play for Art next year."

Despite producing a season chock-full of career highs therefore boosting his market value, Patterson failed to make the Pro Bowl, the release said.

Peterson said he’ll leave all business aspects to his agent and Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot to sort out.

The Falcons completed the 2021 season with a 7-10 record, landing in third-place in the NFC South just above the Carolina Panthers.

Atlanta was in the thick of the playoff hunt last month until it fell to the San Francisco 49ers 31-13 on the road in Week 15.