ATL Standard

Cordarrelle Patterson is pushing for a return to the Falcons after enjoying a career season as a running back for Atlanta.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank recently said the team has been in “discussions” with Patterson’s representatives, according to ESPN News.

“When you get somewhere, Atlanta feels like home, so why not retire here and end my career here,” Patterson told ESPN. “It feels good. It feels like it’s the right place, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family, you know, and if Atlanta is not that place, then it’s not that place.”

Last season, Patterson set career highs in rushing yards (618), receiving yards (548) and all-purpose touchdowns (11), ESPN News reported.

“It really just felt like college all over again,” Patterson said. “Like wow, this is how fun it used to feel, that’s how fun it is to be out here really playing and just having fun, being like a kid all over again.”

He quickly became a fan favorite and often interacted with fans before and during games.

“I’ve never seen a player actually go around the stadium and warm up by throwing balls and playing catch with fans in the stands, and I think that’s really cool,” Blank told ESPN. “We didn’t ask him to do it. He just kind of does it. So, I think he’s great on the field, great off the field.”

Many would like to see Patterson and the Falcons agree to a new contract that keeps Patterson in Atlanta for the rest of his career.

“When I first got to Atlanta, I said, ‘I’ll get in, get the fans involved so when it’s time to get a new contract, I’ve got the fans on my side,” Patterson said. “So, it all played out just how I expected it to.”