In addition to running back Samaje Perine, Tim Patrick is no longer in the Broncos’ offensive plans. The veteran receiver will be released if no trade agreement can be worked out, Mike Klis of 9News reports.
Denver is looking to find a trade partner for Patrick, which comes as little surprise. He had struggled with season-ending injuries over the past two summers, however, a factor which should limit interest showed by outside teams. The Broncos’ depth at wideout will lead to Patrick finding a new home in any case.
Patrick, 30, missed the Broncos’ entire Russell Wilson era. He suffered a torn ACL during training camp in 2022 and went down with an Achilles tear last summer. The resilient veteran returned, however, and took a substantial pay cut to stay in Denver. The Broncos used him frequently in their second preseason game, showcasing the recovered pass catcher. Patrick worked as a Bo Nix underneath target against the Packers and scored a touchdown. But the team has made some moves since Patrick was last healthy entering a season.
Part of the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton– and Jerry Jeudy-fronted receiving corps for years, Patrick eclipsed 700 receiving yards by working as a reliable option in an injury-prone position group. Patrick ironically became the most injury-prone of this contingent, and Payton has since traded Jeudy and added other auxiliary options. The Broncos traded up for Marvin Mims in last year’s second round, and they signed Josh Reynolds (two years, $9MM) this offseason. Denver also used fourth- and seventh-round picks on receivers in this draft. Troy Franklin, a Nix college teammate, fell to Round 4; seventh-rounder Devaughn Vele also impressed during camp.
Patrick did well to sign an extension (three years, $30MM) before his injury trouble began. The longest-tenured member of the Broncos’ skill-position corps, Patrick arrived as a practice squad performer during John Elway‘s GM tenure and signed the extension during George Paton‘s first GM year. Paton remains, but Sean Payton effectively calls the shots now in Denver. Only Sutton remains as a Denver receiver acquired before the HC’s arrival.
It would cost the Broncos $6.1MM in dead money — spread over two years — to trade Patrick. The team will only save $1.1MM by making the move. This ratio, and Patrick’s potential to help Nix, illustrates the team’s current optimism surrounding its young receiving corps. It will be interesting to see if a team bites on the veteran following his two missed seasons. An acquiring team would only be tied to a $1.1MM base salary.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Sean Payton trying to “put his mark” on this roster lmao. He thinks he can do better, we’ll see. Got rid of Russ, Juedy, Patrick, Perine. No more excuses.
Juedy is another overrated overhyped player from the SEC.
And Sean Payton is an overhyped coach with a God complex
To be fair, most of those players suck. Patrick is the only one that clearly doesn’t (well, maybe Perine, but he’s not a needle-mover), and we don’t really know what he is now.
Good luck Bo Nix
Commanders Steelers and so many others need the depth
I see him going to KC. They need someone who holds onto the ball
The Bills like players that have two first names…he could end up in Buffalo.
Payton has always been a buffoon who would’ve been out of the NFL without Brees.
He’s everything some say about Belichick & Brady
I look forward to his continued exposure
Patrick is a good player. It’s a shame he’s suffered such an onslaught of injuries.
Most of the above takes are pretty over the top, but I do agree. Big wideouts are hard to find in today’s league. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like a big surprise to me, given how injuries have hurt Patrick’s career.
The thing that kind of annoys me is that Reynolds is clearly the same type of player (veteran big bodies possession wideout) with a noticeably lower ceiling. Patrick’s injuries cost him his spot in favor of Reynolds, but I was hopeful that he would bd given a shot to return to form. We’ll see how significantly those wounds affected his future capability.
Tim Patrick, you are a Pittsburgh Steeler!
Seems like a Steeler move. Fan base wants Aiyuk. Give them Patrick instead….
I would’ve gladly taken Juju back. Patrick is a great grab if he can stay healthy
Sort of an odd move given that Patrick looked like he was finally regaining some pre-injury form.