The New Orleans Saints have bolstered their offensive line by signing Lucas Patrick, as reported by Nick Underhill of new orleans football. Patrick’s addition comes after the Saints wrapped up their three-day mini-camp, which included undrafted rookies, draft picks, and tryout veterans.
A seasoned veteran at 31 years old, Patrick brings eight years of NFL experience to the Saints. He entered the league as an undrafted rookie from Duke, initially joining the Green Bay Packers. During his tenure with the Packers, Patrick started 28 games between 2020 and 2021, showcasing his versatility at both guard and center positions.
In the 2022 offseason, Patrick ventured to the Chicago Bears as a free agent, where he spent the last two seasons. His time in Chicago included starting 15 of 17 games at center during the 2023 season, under the guidance of current Saints quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, who held the same position with the Bears.
Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 313 pounds, Patrick’s flexibility across various positions along the offensive line positions him as a contender for a starting role within the Saints’ interior line. His arrival comes at a crucial time for the Saints, who saw starting left guard James Hurst retire before the draft and faced departures of other veteran linemen like Andrus Peat, Trai Turner, and Max Garcia.
Patrick will vie for a starting position alongside competitors such as Shane Lemieux, Nick Saldiveri, Olisaemeka Udoh, and Justin Herron, particularly at left guard. Additionally, the Saints fortified their offensive line during the draft, selecting Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga in the first round and Eastern Kentucky’s Josiah Ezirim in the seventh round, further solidifying their depth and competition along the offensive front.
