The Denver Broncos decided against keeping Tim Patrick on their 53-player roster for the 2024 season despite a successful preseason in which he was playing for the first time in over two years. Before cutting ties with the veteran wide receiver, the Broncos were shopping him around.
According to Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press, Patrick told him that the Broncos were looking at sending him to the New Orleans Saints. Apparently, a deal could not be reached which is interesting, because the Broncos could not have been asking for much in return.
Instead, Patrick was released before quickly being signed by the Detroit Lions, who added him to their practice squad. There is an expectation that he will join the 53-man roster there this season.
Tim Patrick would have made sense for the Saints
The Saints would have been a good fit for Patrick as the team has moved on from Michael Thomas and doesn't have a great deal of depth behind No. 1 receiver Chris Olave.
I fear the @broncos may regret waiving Tim Patrick. He’s clutch. He’s a tireless worker. And for those on this app who scoffed at me when I said TP was on the bubble, well, that bubble just burst. Sucks.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) August 26, 2024
The Broncos' decision to release Patrick could be questioned all season, particularly when two of the five receivers on the final roster are rookies. The youth movement that the team is ushering in makes sense, but letting go of Patrick — and getting nothing in return — is a move that many within the fanbase will loathe forever.
At least the Broncos tried to make a move that would have benefitted the team by trading him. However, Patrick landed with one of the best teams in the NFC, and most Broncos fans will likely be rooting for him to be successful there.
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