Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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The 6-foot-3, 313-pound offensive lineman has played in 40 games for the Packers, starting three games at both guard spots. Last year, Patrick also saw his first regular-season action at center after starter Corey Linsley was forced out of Green Bay's Week 5 game in Dallas and the regular-season finale in Detroit.
Patrick saw those experiences as invaluable, especially given both games were played on the road. Because no matter how many snaps you take in practice or the preseason, it's a different experience having to use a silent count in a noisy road stadium.
Patrick said that allowed him to "relax and trust" himself more this summer, knowing he can do it. The Packers agreed, feeling strongly enough about Patrick's upside to reward him with a contract extension last December, rather than place a tender on him as a restricted free agent in March. The organization previously took a similar approach with another of its undrafted success stories, Lane Taylor.
Patrick's proven track record, particularly in a pinch, had a lot to do with the Packers' desire to keep the 27-year-old in the fold for the foreseeable future.
"Anytime you show that versatility to play either guard position or the center position, it definitely brings more value to your team," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "He's a guy that we know we can count on. Anytime that he goes in he does his job and he does it at a high level. He's a guy that we have a lot of confidence in."