Looking to improve their passing game in 2026, general manager Darren Mougey had one mission. Improve the New York Jets wide receiver room. After adding both tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper. Jr., the Jets got two targets to join star Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. However, more help was needed. While the Jets wide receiver groups look much better, more help was needed. Despite the overall skill group diversifying, the team needed an experienced wide receiver.
As a result, both Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn reached out to an old friend. While not simultaneously, Tim Patrick has a history with both Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. Now, Tim Patrick is signing with the New York Jets to provide veteran leadership for the group. Let’s learn more about the latest Jets wide receiver, Tim Patrick, and why this signing can help the offense.
Jets Sign Wide Receiver With Ties to Glenn and Mougey
The #Jets are signing veteran WR Tim Patrick, per @RichCimini.
A big-bodied WR at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Patrick was with the Jaguars last season and has 2,590 receiving yards in his career. pic.twitter.com/CSB9Rpyulk
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 13, 2026
Entering the 2026 offseason, the 3-14 New York Jets had two primary objectives: improve the league’s worst passing offense and overhaul their defense. Thus far, the team has managed to solve those problems on paper. After hiring new coordinators, Brian Duker for defense and Frank Reich to run the offense, the team got off to a good start. As for the personnel, Darren Mougey managed to reunite Aaron Glenn with two old friends to start on defense in defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Demario Davis. Along with rookie defensive end David Bailey and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, the Jets defense has four exciting new starters.
As for the offense, the team managed to reunite with former starting quarterback Geno Smith after acquiring him from the Las Vegas Raiders. But, they needed more than just Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and Mason Taylor to throw to. So, Darren Mougey used two first-round picks on promising offensive weapons, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. Along with newly extended running back Breece Hall, the Jets have a nice core of offensive weapons to work with. However, the group could still use a veteran presence among them to help guide and mentor them during training camp. As a result, the duo of Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn decided to bring in an old friend to help.
Tim Patrick’s Inspiring NFL Journey Takes Him to the Jets
A native of San Diego, California, Tim Patrick had an unconventional journey to the NFL. After two years at Grossmont College, the young wide receiver transferred to the University of Utah. In three seasons with the Utes, Patrick showed a lot of promise. Despite suffering a compound leg fracture in 2015, Tim Patrick played 22 games at Utah from 2014 to 2016.
He recorded 61 catches for 888 yards and five total touchdown catches, all of which came in 2016. However, it wasn’t enough to hear Tim Patrick’s name called as an NFL draft pick in 2017. Instead, he was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, where future Jets general manager Darren Mougey was working as a scout.
After not playing much in 2017, Patrick began being featured in 2018. He finished 2018 with 23 catches for 315 yards and a touchdown in 16 games. Despite desiring to build off his first bit of action, a broken hand derailed Tim Patrick’s season only played in eight games. However, it led to a larger opportunity in 2020. In 15 games, Tim Patrick had a great season with 742 yards with 51 catches on 79 targets, along with six touchdowns. Those 51 catches had Patrick third on the team in catches behind only Jerry Jeudy and tight end Noah Fant.
The following year was even better. Patrick finished 2021 with a career high 53 catches on 85 targets for 734 yards and five touchdowns. In fact, Patrick’s production was so valued that the Broncos signed him to a three-year extension worth nearly $35 million. Despite becoming a valued weapon on offense, this was the last fans would see of Tim Patrick in Denver.
It had been 1,082 days and two major injuries since Tim Patrick scored a touchdown. He has two tonight. pic.twitter.com/LxNQzkORmV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 6, 2024
Injuries Derailed Momentum, But Found Solace in a Comeback With the Lions
After showcasing his production over the last two years, things were about to change. In August of 2022, news broke of Patrick suffering a torn ACL during practice. Unfortunately, the injury cost Tim Patrick the season. But that was only the beginning. In July of 2023, just days into the start of training camp, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon. While the Broncos grew to respect the 6’5″, 210lb wide receiver, back-to-back devastating injuries left them in a difficult position. The following offseason, after failing to find a trade partner, the Broncos released Tim Patrick.
Thankfully, Tim Patrick wasn’t on the market for long, as within days of his release, he signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad. At the time, future Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was in his fourth season as defensive coordinator. Two years after suffering his initial ACL tear, Tim Patrick returned to an NFL field playing in the Lions week two loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the game with four catches for 12 yards.
While playing behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick became a great depth piece for quarterback Jared Goff. Patrick finished 2024 with 33 catches on 44 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns. His best outing came in a Thursday night victory over the Green Bay Packers with six catches for 44 yards and two crucial touchdowns in the second half. Tim Patrick’s return to the NFL helped him finish in sixth place in the Comeback Player of the Year award. The following season, the Lions traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite only having 15 catches for 187 yards, Patrick finished with three touchdowns for the second year in a row.
Tim Patrick with a touchdown!! pic.twitter.com/2GuHKnoOVI
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 7, 2025
How can Tim Patrick help the Jets in 2026?
Last offseason, Tim Patrick was a speculated target for the Jets due to his history with not only Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, but also with the then-offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. While Glenn & Patrick were in Detroit, Engstrand served as the Lions passing game coordinator in 2024. While Tanner Engstrand is no longer in New York, it shouldn’t diminish the value of bringing a veteran like Tim Patrick.
Ideally, Tim Patrick will serve as more of a veteran mentor to the Jets wide receivers. Garrett Wilson is the most experienced receiver, and he’s only in his fifth year. With Patrick’s presence, he can be someone these young players learn from. Especially with someone like Kenyon Sadiq. The Oregon tight end turned Jets first round pick has a similar profile as Patrick at 6’5″ and skinny compared to traditional inline wide receivers. One key area Patrick can help Sadiq with is limiting his drop rate. If anyone can help elevate that aspect, it’s Tim Patrick and his impressive 3.6% drop rate.
However, if Tim Patrick is on the field, Jets fans will appreciate what he brings to the table as a blocker. At 6’5″, Tim Patrick is a mismatch for some defensive backs as a downfield blocker, especially in the running game. Something running back Breece Hall will appreciate. While Tim Patrick won’t be seeing a lot of targets, he does bring with him a lot of positives that can help.
Main Photo: [Matt Pendleton] – Imagn Images