Vikings Decline 5th Year Option for Cordarelle Patterson

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have declined the fifth-year option on receiver and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson.

The Vikings made the decisions on their first-round class of 2013 on Monday. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and cornerback Xavier Rhodes both had their options picked up.

Patterson was given no such security. He was an All-Pro kick returner as a rookie and has continued to be a threat in that spot in his first three seasons in the league. But his development as a receiver has been much slower to come.

Patterson only caught two passes last season and was used as a decoy or blocker in the few offensive snaps he did get. He would have been due $7.9 million in 2017 and instead will be eligible for free agency next spring.