Riley Patterson

Riley Patterson (born September 7, 1999) is an American football placekicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis and has previously played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns.

Early years
Patterson played high school football at Edwardsville High School just outside St. Louis and committed to Memphis on August 17, 2016.

College career
Patterson played 41 games at Memphis scoring 351 points. He participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl, making two of two field goal attempts and three extra point attempts.

Minnesota Vikings
Patterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2021. He was waived/injured on August 16 and placed on injured reserve. He was released on August 25 with an injury settlement.

New England Patriots
On October 19, 2021, Patterson was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots.

Detroit Lions (first stint)
On November 16, 2021, Patterson was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Patriots practice squad. Patterson made two extra points in his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears. Patterson made his first field goal against the Minnesota Vikings on December 5, 2021. In Week 15, Patterson converted all three field goals and all three extra points in a 30–12 win over the Arizona Cardinals, earning National Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.

Patterson was waived on August 30, 2022.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Patterson was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 31, 2022. In Week 16, Patterson scored 13 points on four field goals and one extra point in a 19–3 win over the New York Jets, earning American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. On January 14, 2023, Patterson kicked the game-winning field goal to help the Jaguars complete a 31–30 come back win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round, completing the third largest comeback in playoff history. He was waived by the Jaguars on May 25, following the signing of Brandon McManus, before later being traded back to the Lions.

Detroit Lions (second stint)
Following his announced release from Jacksonville on May 25, 2023, Patterson was traded to the Lions in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick. Patterson was inactive on December 17, 2023, due to missing two extra points in three games. He was replaced by Michael Badgley. On December 19, Patterson was waived by the Lions.

Cleveland Browns
On December 25, 2023, Patterson was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad following an injury to their starting kicker Dustin Hopkins. He was elevated to the roster and played in his first game with them on December 28. He was not signed to a reserve/future contract by the team after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.

Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)
Patterson returned to the Jaguars by signing a reserve/future contract with the team on February 6, 2024.

Personal life
Patterson is a Christian. He is married to Claire Patterson. His second cousin is A. J. Epenesa who is a Buffalo Bills defensive end and is also from Edwardsville, Illinois. WNBA player Kate Martin's dad, Matt Martin, was Epenesa's football and track coach and both Riley Patterson's and New York Jets cornerback Craig James's football coach during their student years at Edwardsville High School.