The Detroit Lions exceeded all expectations during the 2024 NFL season, even if the year didn't end in a Super Bowl victory. Racking up 15 wins is nothing to sneeze at, and the experience that the Lions gained throughout last season has the Motor City feeling confident in head coach Dan Campbell & Co. ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Still, the Lions can only go as far as their veterans will take them, meaning that everyone must play their role to perfection. That includes one veteran wide receiver who doesn't sound too worried about doing what's asked of him next season.
Lions WR Tim Patrick Gives Hilarious Quote About Being Detroit's WR4
The Lions are fortunate to have one of the best one-two playmaking punches in wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Detroit injected even more talent into its wide receiver room by using a 2025 third-round pick on Arkansas' Isaac TeSlaa, whose presence has bumped veteran WR Tim Patrick down to the No. 4 spot.
Having said that, the 31-year-old pass-catcher sounds more than ready to capitalize on his demotion.
"My job is going to be easy. I just gotta beat the No. 4 cornerback," Patrick said after Monday's practice. "I should win that every time."
Tim Patrick on his decision to re-sign with the Detroit Lions :
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) July 28, 2025
“My job is easy, I just got to beat the number four cornerback, I should win that every time.” pic.twitter.com/eFYBugROq8
Patrick sure sounds confident about having easier CB matchups, and only time will tell if his actions match his words. The Lions re-signed the former Utah Ute to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency, so it'll be up to Patrick to prove that he was worth putting pen to paper.
The San Diego, CA native began his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, converting 143 catches into 2,009 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 55 games across four seasons. Unfortunately, back-to-back ACL and Achilles tears kept Patrick out of the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, seemingly leaving his career up in the air at the time.
The Lions believed in Patrick's ability to bounce back, though, which is why they signed him to a 'prove yourself' contract for the 2024 season. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound wideout was healthy enough to play in 16 games with nine starts, leading to a 33-394-3 stat line while also finishing sixth in AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting.
Patrick is an important leader on and off the field in Detroit, and replicating last season's success is what the Lions are hoping to see from him. If Patrick can take advantage of the juicy matchups looming over the horizon, another strong year in a supporting role isn't out of the question at all.