Bengals earn good reviews for Jacques Patrick after fending off other teams

Jacques Patrick is a big win for the Bengals, who had to fend off other teams for his rights.

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The Cincinnati Bengals made a little splash before the 2020 NFL draft, signing former XFL star running back Jacques Patrick.

Patrick, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, had interest from several teams but the Bengals ended up winning out. He’ll join fellow Florida State star Auden Tate in trying to boost a Joe Burrow-led offense. As mentioned in the initial writeup, the fact it was a three-year deal was probably a way for the Bengals to win him over.

Patrick credits the XFL for helping get his play out there, per the Orlando Sentinel’s Chris Hays:

“Being able to go against pro competition, no matter how people view it, it’s still pro competition. A lot of the guys have played in the NFL. I knew it was an opportunity for me to be seen by the NFL and I knew the XFL was a league of opportunities and I’m very thankful. It was a wonderful, first-class experience.”

He also noted he’s thrilled to join Tate and the Bengals.

“That’s where God took us [to Cincinnati],” Patrick said. ‘It still really hasn’t hit me yet. When I woke up this morning, all I wanted to do was work hard.”

The signing generated plenty of hype on social media:

“Do you hate this? Love it? Want to share your thoughts on this article? Sound off in the Bengals Wire forum!”

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Bengals dip into XFL pool with Jacques Patrick on 3-year deal

The Bengals added a former XFL and Florida State standout.

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The Cincinnati Bengals might be staring down the barrel of a critical NFL draft but it hasn’t stopped the team from still being active in free agency.

Thursday, the team signed running back Jacques Patrick, formerly of the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers before the league shuttered its doors, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby.

Patrick had originally gone undrafted out of Florida State in 2019 before heading to the XFL.

A big 6’3″ and 235 pounds, it isn’t hard to envision Patrick’s role in the Bengals backfield as a short-yardage guy. He drummed up 254 yards and two scores on 60 carries over five games.

It’s quite interesting the Bengals hit Patrick with a three-year deal, though that might’ve been the cost of winning him on the market now that teams were free to sign XFL players.

Realistically, Patrick’s arrival — and FSU reunion with guys like Auden Tate — won’t stop the Bengals from adding another running back during the draft if the value is right.

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