Outside of 2-time Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton, the Denver Broncos have approached the rest of their wide receivers with a “here today, gone tomorrow” philosophy in recent years that’s seen some pretty talented players walk out the door.
One of those was Tim Patrick, who played 7 seasons for the Denver Broncos from 2017 to 2023 after making the roster as an undrafted free agent, but was released in a surprise move before the 2024 regular season.
Patrick, 32, has seen steady employment in the NFL since then and got his latest opportunity by signing with the New York Jets on Wednesday.
“Source: The Jets have agreed to terms with veteran WR Tim Patrick, who visited today,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote on his official X account on Wednesday. “Played in 16 games last season for Jacksonville, caught 15 passes for 187 yards and 3 TDs. A veteran presence in the WR room, with inside-outside flexibility.”
What Happened After Broncos Cut Tim Patrick
Ater Patrick was released by the Broncos after 7 seasons and 2 devastating injuries, the Detroit Lions signed him 1 day later — setting him up on the NFC No. 1 playoff seed for the 2024 season.
In Week 14, when the Lions needed him most, Patrick stole the spotlight with 2 touchdowns in a Thursday Night Football win over the Green Bay Packers that clinched a playoff spot for Detroit. It was the first time Patrick scored a touchdown in 1,082 days — since 2021 — and the win pushed the Lions to 12-1 after their 11th consecutive victory.
“The journey was long, but it was worth it, and it made me the man I am today, and it brought me here to Detroit,” Patrick told NFL.com after the win. “I’ve won the most games I’ve ever won in my career, just had a two-touchdown performance on Thursday Night Football, I’ve got like 30 reporters in front of me right now, I’m just very blessed and thankful for this team.”
Patrick Missed All of 2022 and 2023 With Injuries
Patrick’s release came as somewhat of a surprise as he was listed as one of three starting wide receivers for the Broncos when he was cut loose — and finally healthy after sitting out all of 2022 with an ACL tear and all of 2023 with an Achilles tendon tear.
After going undrafted out of Utah in 2017, Patrick made the Broncos’ 53-man roster in 2018 and played in all 16 games with 23 receptions for 315 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He only played in 8 games in 2019 after breaking his hand early in the season, but bounced back with consecutive seasons of at least 700 receiving yards and at least 5 touchdowns in 2020 and 2021.
The Broncos signed Patrick to a 3-year, $34.5 million contract extension in November 2021. Patrick was playing on a 1-year, $1.295 million restructured deal when he was cut.
“With significant depth and talent at WR, Broncos are moving on from popular veteran Tim Patrick, per source,” Mike Klis of Denver’s 9NEWS, wrote one day before Patrick was released. “Broncos are currently exploring trade possibilities for Patrick, who is generating strong interest on market in advance of Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline.”
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