After Cordarrelle Patterson’s sudden release a week into training camp, the Steelers are officially down their top kickoff returner from 2024.
The Pittsburgh running back hierarchy seems set heading into the preseason, but the returner depth chart tends to stay fluid until the very end.
Who will be the Steelers starting kick returners in 2025?
The Steelers use two kickoff returners, and one spot is all but guaranteed to be filled by free agent addition Kenneth Gainwell. The former Eagles running back was the starting kick returner for Philadelphia last year, and his 25.3 yards per return outpaced Patterson’s 21.8 in 2024.
Gainwell should fill what Patterson’s role was last year, from returns all the way to a handful of offensive snaps per game. While Patterson is a former wide receiver, Gainwell is the more prototypical receiving back at this stage of their respective careers.
But what about the other returner spot?
It could be filled by running back Jaylen Warren, who returned nine kicks to Patterson’s 11 in 2024. Warren had better results with a 25.2-yard average and a team-best return of 35 yards.
I’d pencil him into the second spot once again, but if the Steelers value Warren as a RB1 (they’re paying him as one this season), they might not want him risking life and limb as much on special teams. Warren played just 17% of the Steelers’ special teams snaps in 2024, and that number could become even lower given his bigger role in the offense.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora reported Pittsburgh’s training camp kick return line Sunday as being Evan Hull, Kaleb Johnson, Roman Wilson, James Pierre, Gainwell, Trey Sermon, Beanie Bishop Jr., Warren, and D’Shawn Jamison.
It’s easy to forget, but Bishop was a productive returner in college. Wilson and Johnson are more certain roster locks who could also be in line for the role — the new kickoff rules make a running back skill set like Johnson’s a good fit.
Calvin Austin III and rookie cornerback/returner Donte Kent were in the punt return line. It’s unlikely either switches to kickoffs, but Kent is also a name to keep an eye on as we haven’t seen him play in the NFL yet.
Austin seems likely to resume duties as the Steelers starting punt returner, but like Warren, he could always step back in that area if his role becomes too important on offense this season.
I’d expect Gainwell and Warren to open the season as the Steelers’ starting kick returners, but a potential replacement for Warren could be in the cards depending on the final 53-man roster. And of course, the blocking in front of the two returners matters even more.
Remember, the roster bubble camp battles every offseason often have more to do with special teams than any offensive or defensive ability.
Who do you think the Steelers’ starting kick returners will be in 2025? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
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