Staley Da Bear
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
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The versatile Patterson made a huge splash in his first season with the Bears in 2019, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as a kickoff returner and special-teams player after excelling as a gunner covering punts. Patterson was honored after ranking second in the NFL with a 29.5-yard average on 28 kickoff returns, including a 102-yard touchdown against the Saints. He also led the league with 825 kick-return yards.
Last month at the NFL Combine, Pace hinted that Patterson's role on offense could expand in 2020. Playing on 18.9 percent of the Bears' offensive snaps in 2019, Patterson had 11 receptions for 83 yards and rushed for 103 yards on 17 carries, with a long of 46 yards.
"That's a guy [coach] Matt [Nagy] and I have talked about, just making sure we're maximizing his talent," Pace said. "Obviously, he's an explosive, talented player. That can be at running back, receiver, returner. We're going to make sure we're getting the most out of that player because he's too talented not to."