Riley Patterson kicked for two teams last season after leaving Jacksonville due to a decision made by Sean Payton in the middle of the offseason. In 2024, the former kicker for the Jaguars may get a chance to go back to work there.
According to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, Patterson was given a reserve/futures contract by the Jaguars on Monday. In 2023, Patterson kicked for the Lions and Browns after being a Jaguar in 2022. Patterson is the sole kicker signed to the Jags’ offseason roster because Brandon McManus is not guaranteed to play in 2024.
Last year’s kicker plans were altered by McManus’ unexpected availability for the Jags. The Broncos designated their veteran kicker as a post-June 1 cut, and the Jags signed him without delay. Patterson was then traded back to the Lions. Throughout his NFL career, Patterson, who has been commuting from Detroit to Jacksonville, has kicked in 13 Lions games this year. Despite his impressive 15 of 17 field goal performance while with the Lions, a continuous practice competition forced the NFC North winners to dismiss him, giving their primary 2022 kicker, Michael Badgley, his position back.
After Dan Campbell decided to go for two second-half fourth downs in field goal range, Badgley, who had been Detroit’s kicker all season, was famously left on the sidelines. In Cleveland, Patterson took Dustin Hopkins’ place as the starting kicker. With the Browns, Patterson, 24, made just one field goal attempt.
After being waived by the Lions prior to the 2022 season, Patterson went 30-for-35 with the Jaguars that year. In the wild-card round, he scored the game-winning field goal to cap off the team’s comeback victory over the Chargers. McManus was only 30-for-37 this season, missing five of his ten attempts to reach the 50-yard line. In March, McManus, 32, is expected to become a free agent.
