Chicago Bears: Controversial, intriguing free agent wide receivers

Cordarrelle Patterson

For the first few years of his career, Cordarrelle Patterson was defined by the words “potential” and “attitude.” He had all the potential in the world, but his attitude got in the way at times. He was a bit too flashy for the lack of production. At times, not-so-smart decisions got in the way of his career finally taking off.

Now, after spending some time with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, Patterson has managed to keep quiet and do his job — that’s no surprise after learning under a coach like Belichick.

If the Bears set out to do one thing and one thing only by signing a free agent wide receiver, it could be to finally find the answer at kick returner. Benny Cunningham has been less than satisfactory at that spot, and Patterson would absolutely be the answer.

Over his six-year career, Patterson has returned a whopping 176 kickoffs for an impressive average of 30.0 yards per return. He has also found the end zone six times on those returns.

Another interesting aspect of his game is his ability to rush the football. He’s ran the ball 86 times in his career and found pay dirt seven times. He’s become a well-rounded weapon with the ball in his hands, and I would be thrilled to see him in a Bears uniform.