Tim Patrick's Rising Confidence in the Detroit Lions' Offense

Tim Patrick's Development in the Lions' Offense

Tim Patrick is coming off his best game in a Detroit Lions uniform in the team’s win over Seattle Week 4, where he caught two passes for 52 yards. One was a 23-yarder that set up the Amon-Ra St. Brown to Jared Goff touchdown pass in the third quarter, and the other, a 29-yard reception to open a drive in the fourth quarter, ended in Goff's final touchdown pass of the night to St. Brown.

Patrick, 30, has been in Detroit for a little over a month after signing before the regular season. He told detroitlions.com he’s beginning to settle into his role as Detroit’s No. 3 receiver but believes his best football is still ahead.

Improving Every Week

“Just getting more confidence. With the more and more installs, you get kind of familiar,” Patrick said. “Not where I want to be still just because every install there’s always something new. I feel like I’m kind of thinking out there and still being a robot in a way, but it’s effective right now.”

Patrick has rounded out Detroit’s receiver room with his size, versatility, and experience. St. Brown and Jameson Williams have been the top two receivers in terms of snaps played, targets, and receptions, while Patrick is taking the third most reps and expects to see this increase as he gains comfort.

Patrick's Past Performance and Future Potential

People may have forgotten Patrick caught 79 and 85 passes for over 700 yards and 11 combined touchdowns in 2020 and 2021 in Denver before dealing with injuries in 2022 and 2023. “I feel like he’s gotten better and better every week,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Patrick. “He brings a skillset that we need in that room that’s different.”

Detroit now boasts a receiver room with complementary skillsets, including tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the passing game, providing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson with plenty of options.

“If I play my cards right and I’m being myself this is going to be a great situation,” Patrick said. “As we showed in our last game, we are a very high-powered offense.”

Patrick’s contribution has been significant thus far and he is expected to continue being a valuable addition to the Detroit receiver room.