Vikings coach admits Patriots using Cordarrelle Patterson ‘way better’ than they did

The Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots will meet on Sunday, and one player who will be at the center of attention is Cordarrelle Patterson.

Patterson began his career with Minnesota as a first-round pick in 2013. He played four seasons for the Vikings, reaching the Pro Bowl twice as a kick returner. In addition to his returning, Patterson was often utilized by Minnesota as a wide receiver and carried the ball here and there.

Since being picked up by the Patriots, Patterson has become more of a rusher due to Sony Michel’s injuries. He has a career high 37 carries for 156 rushing yards this season. He has scored four touchdowns — two as a receiver, one as a rusher, and one as a returner.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer thinks the Pats are just using Patterson “way better” than Minnesota did.

“Quite honestly, they’re using him way better than we did.” — Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, on Cordarrelle Patterson.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 28, 2018

That’s a compliment to the Patriots, but not necessarily true. Patterson scored 9 touchdowns as a rookie for Minnesota, so he was utilized quite well that season. But that was before Zimmer took over as the team’s head coach. Even under Zimmer, the Vikings got creative to get Patterson the ball as a receiver and rusher. Patterson is on pace to get more touches this season than any other in his career, largely because he’s being utilized as a regular running back.