Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick has missed the last couple of seasons due to devastating injury luck. In 2022, he tore his ACL. Last year, he tore his Achilles.
Now, Patrick is working his way back and seemed prepared to re-establish himself as a key member of the Broncos’ offense in 2024.
But it doesn’t look like that will be happening.
Mike Klis of 9 News is reporting that Denver will be moving on from Patrick ahead of 53-man roster trimdowns and will be looking to trade the pass-catcher.
Patrick, who played his collegiate football at the University of Utah, went undrafted but eventually landed with the Broncos in 2018.
He didn’t make much of an impact during his rookie campaign, catching 23 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown. He was even less productive the following year, logging 16 catches for 218 yards.
Then, in 2020, Patrick had a breakout season of sorts, hauling in 51 receptions for 742 yards and six scores. He would proceed to post similar numbers in 2021, snaring 53 balls for 734 yards while reaching the end zone five times.
When healthy, the 30-year-old is obviously a useful receiver, but after two major injuries, the Broncos are clearly feeling uneasy about his ability to contribute in 2024.
The Denver Broncos may feel they have no room for Tim Patrick
Denver doesn’t exactly have an elite group of wide outs, but it actually does have some rather surprising depth at the position.
Courtland Sutton is the clear No. 1, and the Broncos signed Josh Reynolds in free agency to likely occupy the No. 2 slot. Second-year receiver Marvin Mims Jr. will probably slide in as the third receiver, and rookie fourth-round pick Troy Franklin may also play a role.
As a result, Patrick appears to have been squeezed out, with Denver going with more of a youth movement. It does make sense considering that rookie Bo Nix has been named the team’s starting quarterback.
Patrick should absolutely generate some interest around the NFL, but whether or not the Broncos will be able to extract any value out of a trade for him—especially considering that the whole league now knows they are planning on moving on from him—remains to be seen.
Perhaps Denver will be able to get a late-round draft pick in return for the veteran.
The Denver Broncos will open up their regular season against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8.
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