The Bears have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick on a two-year contract.
Patrick, 28, spent his first six NFL seasons with the Packers, appearing in 73 games with 34 starts. The 6-3, 313-pounder originally signed with Green Bay in 2016 as an undrafted free agent from Duke.
"Lucas is more than just a football player," said general manager Ryan Poles. "He is going to add leadership to our offensive line and raise the standard of how the Chicago Bears will play with grit, tenacity and finish. He is a glue guy in the locker room and on the field and we are fortunate to have him in orange and blue. We would like to thank Joel Turner and Turner Sports Management for helping bring him to Chicago."
New Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is familiar with Patrick, having spent five of the last six seasons as a Packers offensive assistant. Getsy coached receivers (2016-17) and quarterbacks (2019-21) while also serving as Green Bay's passing game coordinator in 2020-21.
After spending his rookie season on the Packers practice squad, Patrick played in 12 games with two starts in 2017 and 14 contests with four starts in 2018. In 2019, he appeared in 14 games, all as a reserve.
Patrick started at both guard positions in 2017-18 and replaced injured All-Pro Corey Linsley at center in 2019 wins over the Cowboys and Lions.
“[I] love the kid. I tell him every single time he’s out there that I love going to battle with him …” Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on new Bears OL Lucas Patrick
Patrick became a regular starter in 2020, opening 15 games at guard. He remained at guard last year but sustained a concussion in the season opener and was replaced on the No. 1 offense by Jon Runyan.
The Tennessee native started in place of injured rookie Josh Myers at center in a Week 5 win over the Bengals and then stepped in again two weeks later versus the Bears after Myers hurt his knee on the fourth play of the game.
Patrick started the next 10 games at center before shifting back to guard when Myers returned to action for the Packers' season finale against the Lions and Green Bay's playoff loss to the 49ers.
Last October in a story about Patrick in the Wisconsin State Journal, Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised the versatile offensive lineman.
"[There's] a lot of value when you can plug a guy in who can play [all] three positions inside, both guards and the center," Rodgers said. "The backup center spot has always been a guaranteed roster spot. It just has to be, because that role is so important. He's a tough, physical, smart player who, when he's riding with confidence, can be an elite player at center. I really feel like that.
"[I] love the kid. I tell him every single time he's out there that I love going to battle with him because he's the kind of a guy you know is going to have your back and you know is going to be in the right position at all time and doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing—and battle and scrap and claw and fight as hard as he can.
"There's not a specific value you can put on that, because the role that he plays can be priceless at times."
Check out new Bears OL Lucas Patrick in action. The veteran has played in 73 games with 34 starts during his five NFL seasons.
