Bears’ Cordarrelle Patterson named first-team All-Pro returner, second-team special teamer

Khalil Mack isn’t the only Bears player to be an All-Pro at two positions.

Cordarrelle Patterson has been named a first-team All-Pro as a kick returner, as well as a second-team All-Pro as a special teamer. He marks the team’s only player to be named to either list.

This marks the third time Patterson has been voted to the first team, having made appearances in 2013 and 2016 as a kick returner. He was a second-team returner in 2015 and 2018. However, this is the first time he has made an All-Pro appearance for his work as a general special teamer.

The Bears signed Patterson to a two-year, $10 million deal last offseason to fill their dire need for a kick returner, and he filled that need and more. He led the league in kick return yards with 825, finished second in yards per return with 29.5, and he was one of only seven players to return a kickoff for a touchdown this season.

Patterson also served as a valuable gunner, tallying 6 tackles on the year and downing numerous punts from Pat O’Donnell to get favorable field position. His versatility on special teams—as well as his gadget skill set on offense—made him one of the team’s more impressive performances this season.