ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brought up in a rough family situation, oft-injured in college, undrafted and cut three times as a professional, including once by the Broncos, Tim Patrick can now be raised up as a role model to so many down-and-outers.
Patrick, who in recent years emerged as one of the Broncos’ most dependable receivers, now has financial security he could have never realistically thought possible as a youth after sources tell 9NEWS he and the Broncos have reached agreement on a three-year, $30 million contract extension that includes $18.5 million in guarantees. The remainder of his $3.384 million salary for this season remains in place.
"I'm happy for Tim, he's the type of player every team wants,'' said head coach Vic Fangio on Monday. "He's tough, he's competitive, he's prideful. He's all about the team. And it was great that we rewarded him for that.''
Happy birthday, Tim Patrick, who turns 28 on Tuesday. His agent Chase Callahan and Broncos contract Rich Hurtado held an initial discussion two weeks ago but once negotiations began this week the deal came together quickly.
A tremendous athlete who played football and basketball in junior college, Patrick eventually walked on at the University of Utah and became its leading receiver when he wasn’t recovering such devastating injuries as a compound leg fracture and high ankle sprain, among other ailments.
Out of college, he was initially signed as an undrafted rookie by the Ravens in 2017 but didn’t even make it past the first week of training camp before he was waived. He caught on with the 49ers, was cut before the start of the 2017 season, signed with the Broncos’ practice squad and was cut again in November before rejoining that spare unit a week later.
Patrick became the training camp surprise of 2018, making the season-opening roster. The sticky-fingered Patrick had 51 catches without a drop in 2020 for 742 yards and six touchdowns. He is on pace to better those numbers this year as through 10 games he has 37 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns.
Patrick's $10 million average makes him the 26th highest-paid receiver overall and among the top 5 "No. 2" receivers.
"I love you Broncos Country," Patrick tweeted Friday. "Three more years!!!!"
For more on Patrick’s like story of perseverance, here is a feature 9NEWS wrote on the 6-4, 215-pound receiver in August 2018:
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