The Bengals have signed veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick to a one-year deal, per a team announcement.
Patrick visited the team today and quickly agreed to terms to join Cincinnati’s offense. He has experience at center and both guard spots and will likely compete for a starting job along the interior of the Bengals offensive line.
The 31-year-old started 10 games for the Saints in 2024 before landing on injured reserve in December. He mostly played left guard, though he did step in at center after an injury to Erik McCoy.
Patrick’s best shot at a starting gig in Cincinnati will likely be at right guard. Center Ted Karras and left guard Cordell Volson have started for the last three years, but the team moved on from Alex Cappa this offseason. That will open up his spot at right guard, though the Bengals are also bringing back Cody Ford, who started nine games in 2024.
If he can’t earn a starting role, Patrick will serve as a versatile backup who can slide into any of the three interior OL positions in case of injury. He has started 64 games over the last eight years, an impressive career for a player who went undrafted out of college.
Patrick signed with the Packers as a rookie and served as a backup guard with six starts over his first three seasons. He earned the starting right guard job in 2020 and moved to center in 2021 before leaving Green Bay for a two-year deal with the Bears. An injury limited him to seven games (five starts) in 2022, but he started 15 games in 2023 and signed with the Saints for the 2024 season.