Ex-Bears starter signs new contract with the Saints.
The New Orleans Saints and former Chicago Bears offensive tackle Lucas Patrick agreed to a one-year contract, the organization announced on May 13.
In 2022, the 30-year-old Patrick was signed by the Bears to a two-year contract with the intention of making him the team’s starting center.
But that plan never got off the ground because of a thumb injury that kept him out of the 2022 preseason. Instead, Patrick moved to guard and former Bears center Sam Mustipher took the team’s snaps.
Regrettably, he had injuries during both of his Chicago seasons. Along with the thumb injury, he was only able to play in seven games in 2022, five of which he started. Due to a calf injury, the seasoned offensive lineman also finished 2023 on the injured reserve list.
Lucas Patrick’s Time With the Chicago Bears Was Not Easy.
Patrick not only struggled with injuries but also encountered problems on the field. Opposing defensive tackles regularly beat him at the line of scrimmage, and occasionally he appeared disoriented and unclear of his assignment.
The video that follows, which was posted on X (previously Twitter) by former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, demonstrates some of Patrick’s pass protection shortcomings:
During the previous season, Patrick played center for 953 snaps (563 pass block snaps), giving up 25 hurries and three quarterback hits. He deserves praise for not allowing a sack, according to PFF.
In 2023, he was also called for seven penalties, a career-high (five holding flags, one false start, and one that was denied).
Furthermore, Patrick occasionally had trouble snapping the ball; a lot of his snaps were inaccurate or off target. Throughout the season, Patrick and former Bears OL Cody Whitehair battled with the same problem:
Nevertheless, Patrick has experience (he has started 48 of the previous 56 games when healthy), and his adaptability at the line makes him a highly sought-after player.
