After a strong start to his career, Lucas Patrick has fallen on hard times in the NFL. An interior offensive lineman who spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in the Windy City with the Chicago Bears, Patrick appeared in just six games with the Cincinnati Bengals due to a calf injury and is looking for a spot to rehab his career after he hit free agency this spring.
At 32 years old and coming off a significant injury, Patrick’s options were likely to be few and far between. But he may have made the most out of his situation after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Patrick has agreed to a one-year contract.
While it’s not a lucrative deal, it’s one ripe with opportunity and could give Patrick a chance for a final act as he prepares to join the New York Giants.
Former Bears OG Lucas Patrick Has Chance For a Final Act with Giants
Looking at the Giants’ depth chart, the interior of the offensive line is a fluid situation. Jon Runyan and John Michael Schmitz enter the pre-draft process as likely starters, but the right guard situation is wide open, led by Jake Kubas and 2022 first-rounder Evan Neal.
Kubas had a chance to win the right guard job for New York last year, but was unable to defeat Greg Van Roten and spent the entire year on the practice squad. Neal, the No. 7 overall pick in 2022, has dealt with numerous injuries to his ankles, knees, and hamstrings, making him less than a sure bet to win the job, leaving the need for a player like Patrick.
While Aaron Stinnie is another option, he’s played just 254 offensive snaps over the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus, and that could open the door for Patrick to take the job during the offseason program and training camp.
Patrick began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers and appeared to be on the rise when he posted a 66.9 overall grade on 1,086 snaps during the 2020 season, according to PFF. While he wasn’t as effective the following year, it wasn’t enough to stop him from signing with the Bears before the 2022 season.
But his time with the Bears was marred by a severe toe injury that caused him to miss the second half of the 2022 campaign, which was followed by a poor performance in 2023, posting a 50.5 overall grade on 953 snaps. While he’s played better with the New Orleans Saints and Bengals in recent years, he hasn’t been able to stay on the field.
Patrick’s bid could be wiped out by a pick in this month’s draft, but the Giants are a good situation to be in. If he can win the job, he could show he has gas left in the tank and perhaps earn another contract elsewhere in 2027. If he can’t, it could be a crossroads moment for a player who turns 33 in July and may be the end for the former Bear.