For two years running, Tim Patrick was the No. 2 receiver for the Broncos. Three years later, he's becoming the No. 3 for the Lions.
Recently promoted from Detroit's practice squad, Patrick caught two passes for 52 yards in the Lions' win over the Seahawks Monday night. At 6'4, he has the size and physicality the Lions have been seeking on the outside.
"It feels good, man," Patrick said. "I know what I’m capable of. I’m just gonna keep taking it one day at a time and be thankful for this opportunity, because they didn’t have to sign me. But they did and they’re giving me opportunities, so I’m gonna make sure I make the best of it."
Patrick only ran 11 routes Monday night, but showed improved chemistry with Jared Goff on their two connections. The first was a 23-yard catch and run on a short pass over the middle that set up a touchdown to give the Lions a 28-14 lead in the third quarter. The second was a 29-yard deep shot in the fourth quarter that sparked Detroit's final touchdown drive in a 42-29 romp.
Patrick didn't join the Lions until the latter stages of training camp after being released by the Broncos, but said his chemistry with Goff is "growing, man." Goff had another chance to hit him for a big gain over the middle later in the fourth, but was sacked for a safety before he could get rid of the ball.
"Obviously we’re not perfect," said Patrick, "but we’re learning each other each and every day, man, and that’s why we practice. We practice until we get it right. And when we do get it right when it’s time to really go, it’s going to be beautiful."
From 2020-21, Patrick caught 104 passes for 1,476 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Broncos, which earned him a three-year, $34.5 million extension in Denver. But he tore his ACL before the next season, then tore his Achilles before last season. When Patrick debuted for the Lions earlier this month against the Bucs, it was his first game since Week 18 of 2021.
To contribute to a win on Monday Night Football in Week 4 of 2024 is "amazing," Patrick said. "It’s kind of just my story as a whole. It’s always starting at the bottom and I just gotta work my way to the top, and I’m just going to keep doing that."
Goff and the Lions have plenty of weapons as it is, from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. But Patrick's length makes him a potentially natural replacement for Josh Reynolds, who more or less replaced Patrick in Denver. He smiled about playing a role in the Lions' scoring outburst Monday night.
"I don’t know the last time I’ve been a part of a 40-point scoring game, so it’s a blessing and it just shows that we got so many weapons out there," Patrick said. "We got two No. 1 receivers, two No. 1 tight ends, two No. 1 running backs and when everyone’s on point, man, we’re hard to stop."
Patrick, for the record, hadn't been involved in a 40-point game since his rookie season. That was six years ago. He hadn't played on a winning team until landing in Detroit. Now that he's here, his career is once again pointing up.