The Detroit Lions are bringing back Tim Patrick, their reliable veteran wide receiver on a one-year deal.
On Thursday afternoon, free agent wide receiver Tim Patrick posted to his Instagram story a shirt with the words, “I ONLY WANT TO WORK WITH THE LIONS” on it. It was unclear if this was wishful thinking on Patrick’s part or a sign that the Detroit Lions had agreed upon a re-signing with the veteran receiver.
On Friday, Lions announced they have re-signed Patrick. No terms are available at this point.
UPDATE: Per Mike Garafolo, it’s a one-year, deal worth “up to” $4 million.
Last year, Patrick revived his career in Detroit after being signed at the start of the regular season. Prior to landing in Detroit, Patrick dealt with two season-ending injuries with the Denver Broncos. In 2022, he suffered a torn ACL in a training camp practice, only to tear his Achilles in the 2023 preseason. He failed to make the Broncos’ roster in 2024, and the Lions immediately swept him up.
Patrick proceeded to have a steady season for the Lions. He played in 16 games, started nine, and caught 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly to the Lions, he fit exactly the identity of the kind of player Detroit wants in the WR-X role. He’s an active and willing blocker with steady hands and knows where the first down marker is.
“He’s a pro, the way he prepares, the way he works, type of teammate he is, the athlete that he is,” coach Dan Campbell said in October. “Man, he’s long, he’s got catch radius, he blocks downfield, he’s got good hands, good, strong hands. So, there again, he brings a different element to us in the receiver room, he brings something we don’t have, which is – man, that’s music to your ears if you’re kind of building an offense, man, it just gives you a different type of weapon.”
With Patrick back in the fold, the Lions wide receiver room has its top four returning from last season: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Patrick, and Kalif Raymond. That said, only St. Brown (and Antoine Green) are signed beyond the 2025 season, so the Lions could still be pursuing long-term options at the position.
Keep up to date on the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker.
