Falcons owner Arthur Blank: 'We'd love to have' Cordarrelle Patterson back

Swiss-Army-Knife option Cordarrelle Patterson became the Most Valuable Player of an Atlanta Falcons side that finished the 2021 NFL season at a disappointing 7-10 when, per ESPN stats, he led the team with 618 rushing yards, 153 carries and six rushing touchdowns to go along with 52 catches for 548 yards and five additional scores. 

Patterson said last month he'd like to remain with the Falcons moving forward but hasn't yet put pen to paper on a deal and is set to hit free agency when the new NFL year opens in March. Falcons owner Arthur Blank made his feelings on the subject clear while speaking with Scott Bair of the club's website. 

"From our standpoint, we'd love to have [CP] back," Blank remarked. "We saw the same thing that you saw on the field. I think this is a very talented player, a very talented athlete. This is a good example of when a coach understands the scheme — which he does, Coach Smith — and he takes an athlete like this and can use him in a variety of ways I think you see the kind of production that he can have. He's a terrific young man. He's great with the fans. He's great in the locker room. He's a real competitor… I hope that he'll be a Falcon this time [next] year."

Blank recently said he'd also "love" for star wide receiver Calvin Ridley to play for the Falcons during the 2022 campaign after Ridley stepped away from the team to address his mental health on Halloween and didn't participate in another game this past season. Ridley has been linked with multiple organizations in trade rumors, and it's unknown if he is considering playing a down with the Falcons or any other team later this year.