Former Tennessee Vols star Cordarrelle Patterson thinks new NFL rule will eventually change again

Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who is entering his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, thinks a new NFL rule that took effect this offseason will eventually change again.

Patterson was signed by the Steelers to primarily serve as the team's kick returner.

The NFL passed a new kickoff rule this offseason that's supposed to make kick returns safer/more exciting.

Here's how the new kickoffs look.

Patterson, who has nine career kick returns for touchdowns, told reporters this week that he actually prefers the old kickoff rules.

"Absolutely the old way," said Patterson when asked which kickoff rules he prefers. "I mean, it's out of my control. But they're going to change it -- I feel like they're going to change it again before it's all said and done. I just gotta out there and just show up and just try to leave a mark everywhere I go."

The former Vol is probably right. The NFL is obviously trying to figure out a way to save kickoffs while keeping players safe and also providing excitement. It's a tough fence to straddle. And it seems inevitable that the league will make some adjustments to the rule after a full season of results.

Either way, it sounds like Patterson is ready to do his job, regardless of how players are lined up on the field for returns.

Related: Former Vols OC Alex Golesh gets candid about taking over a tough situation at Tennessee in 2021