In the midst of the Denver Broncos‘ 27-2 preseason win over the Green Bay PackersThe Mile High Faithful were treated to the sight of veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick on the field, running routes and catching passes. Even though it was just a preseason game, Patrick’s performance was a triumph of the human spirit after spending the last two seasons recovering and rehabbing from serious injuries.
Just when it seemed like fortune had turned its back on Patrick, he was on the turf and not only ran routes, but also led the Broncos in pass catches and caught rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s first touchdown pass at home. Everyone, including head coach Sean Payton, was happy for Patrick after the game.
“The players were happy for him,” Payton said of Patrick. “He had a big smile on his face. When you have one of these injuries, it’s quiet, you’re lonely, everything’s going on, it’s difficult. When you’re injured for two (seasons) … You can really look back in time and then try to find players who have been out two years and it’s tough. That’s a long time in this sport. So when he has a moment like that or when he has a practice where you see him get back in shape, it’s encouraging.”
To back up Payton’s argument that a two-year absence from the NFL is a long time, the Broncos themselves were ready to move on Patrick’s platoon. The team approached him early last season about a restructure. The implicit threat: restructure or fire.
Patrick accepted a one-year deal that will pay him $1.125 million in 2024, a significant drop from the roughly $10 million he was set to make in the final year of his three-year, $30 million contract extension he signed in 2021. The logic behind it was that if the Broncos could just be patient a little longer, he would reward them with a return to the field.
So far, so good.
“Of course I’m happy,” Patrick said after the game. “I have higher expectations for myself. I’m just trying to tell a better story. So it’s a step in the right direction… And obviously I want to go out and make plays in the preseason, but the most important thing is to make plays and win early in the season. Not just make plays and lose, but get wins.”
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Fellow wideout Courtland Sutton was also excited to see Patrick in live bullet action, albeit with a new jersey number. While rehabbing on the injured list last year, Patrick gave up No. 81 to former Broncos receiver Tre’Quan Smith. Patrick showed up in OTAs in 2024 wearing the No. 12 jersey.
“Man, I was so happy for him,” Sutton said. “I could have celebrated with him the rest of the game if I could. I was just so happy he got in the end zone. He worked his ass off — you probably know that as well. The journey he’s been on the last few years and seeing him get in the end zone, the excitement — you could almost feel his drive.”
Even Nix, who has only known Patrick since May, was happy that he had managed to make a pass in a friendly match.
“He’s obviously been through a lot,” Nix said of Patrick. “It’s not easy to overcome what he’s been through and then to go out there and be able to contribute like he did tonight was just cool to see. He’s a player. He does a really good job when his number is called. It was nice to see him in the end zone.”
Patrick also threw some props to the newbie.
“He’s been good. He’s been consistent the last few days,” Patrick said. “He’s been Bo Nix. He’s not trying to be someone he’s not.”
Patrick turns 31 in November, so while he continues his race against time, he’s clearly still at the top of the Broncos’ wide receiver rankings. Although we haven’t received official rankings from the Broncos yet, Payton apparently views Patrick as his No. 2 receiver behind Sutton.
That says a lot about Patrick’s character and talent – to be out of the field for two years with an injury and then be used as a WR2 by his head coach, who he never really had a falling out with, meaning he’s a starter… that’s impressive. Let’s hope Patrick can stay out of the injury spree and finally give the Broncos back the $20 million they paid him a few years ago.
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