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Michigan QB Shea Patterson is the most recent UDFA addition for the Chiefs.
Whilst Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs close to an settlement to maintain the MVP signal-caller on the town for the foreseeable future, the Chiefs’ quarterback depth chart has undergone some restructuring this offseason. Confronted with a call of which veteran passer to re-sign as Mahomes’ major backup, the defending Tremendous Bowl champions sided with Chad Henne over Matt Moore.
To fill the void left by Moore’s departure, the Chiefs elected to dip into the free agent pool, signing former XFL standout Jordan Ta’amu to a one-year deal in April. Then final week, Kansas Metropolis parted methods with second-year professional Kyle Shurmur, who spent the 2019 season on the follow squad.
Based on NFL Community reporter Tom Pelissero, Kansas Metropolis as soon as once more has 4 quarterbacks on roster after agreeing to signal former College of Michigan QB Shea Patterson. Phrases of the deal weren’t instantly accessible or confirmed by the group.
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Patterson’s agent, Bryan Ehrlich, advised the Detroit Information that regardless of the lengthy course of, his shopper landed with a crew that matches his talent set.
“He wasn’t a crybaby, he’s an NFL participant, and you need to be powerful to be an NFL quarterback,” mentioned Ehrlich. “He was wading by means of the method, I used to be wading by means of the method, and Shea stayed prepared, ensuring it was an excellent match. It took somewhat bit longer, however now he’s acquired a house.”
Whereas the Chiefs’ beginning quarterback spot is solidified for years to come back, the undrafted free agent is anticipated to battle for a spot on the lively roster or follow squad this coming season.
“They’ve a solidified starter, clearly, with Patrick Mahomes,” Ehrlich mentioned. “They need Shea to come back in to compete and assist everybody get higher and make himself higher.”
Rollercoaster School Profession Led to Unsure Draft Projection
Whereas Michigan had 10 gamers chosen within the 2020 NFL Draft, Patterson was not among the many group. Within the days following draft weekend, the 6-foot-1-inch, 212-pound passer took to Twitter with an impressed message.
Patterson started his collegiate profession at Ole Miss, taking part in 10 video games between 2016-17. He later transferred to Michigan in 2018 and went on to publish career-bests throughout the board in his two ultimate seasons as a starter for the Wolverines. The 23-year-old accounted for five,661 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and solely 15 interceptions between 2018-19, together with changing into solely the third quarterback in Michigan soccer historical past to throw for 3,000-plus yards in a single season final 12 months.
Whereas Patterson performed for 4 completely different offensive coordinators in 4 years, he does have expertise in a pro-style system just like what Kansas Metropolis runs.
Patterson Attracts Professional Comparability to Jeff Garcia
Whilst NFL athletes develop greater, stronger and sooner every season, it isn’t exceptional for smaller quarterbacks to search out success in the fitting state of affairs. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein listed Patterson as a precedence (undrafted) free agent with a “probability to make finish of roster or follow squad.”
Right here is the total prospect overview:
Undersized, energetic quarterback who put tantalizing moments collectively on tape, however did not maintain it at a excessive stage. Patterson doesn’t have the arm or accuracy to persistently beat NFL coverages, however he can get by means of progressions shortly and is prepared to take a seat in and ship to targets within the face of stress. He seems to be a fast processor on the transfer and reveals some capability to improvise and win. Discovering an RPO-heavy offense that enables him to play quick and make the most of his expertise exterior of the pocket may very well be vital in sticking on an NFL roster long-term as a backup.
Zuerlein lists former 11-year veteran QB Jeff Garcia as an NFL comparability for Patterson. Garcia, who performed for 5 franchises throughout his profession, together with his first 5 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, earned his strategy to 4 playoff appearances and 4 Professional Bowl picks (2000-02, 2007).
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