Riley Patterson is used to moving homes as he signs with his seventh franchise, the Jets, within 4 years of entering the league. After attending Edwardsville High School, Patterson went on to play college football with the Memphis Tigers. Playing over 41 games and scoring 351 points within those opportunities, Patterson joined his first NFL team, the Vikings, in 2021. However, it wasn’t really a great start to life in the NFL. As he got waived after just three months, citing an injury settlement.

But it didn’t take him long to find another franchise, as he signed with the Patriots practice squads two months later. Unfortunately, his debut didn’t come in New England, as the Lions picked him from the practice squads, thereby giving him his first real opportunity in the NFL. Making his debut against the Bears in 2021, Patterson helped the Lions earn two extra points in his first game.

Well, his first goal was more memorable, considering it came against the Vikings in December 2021. Apart from his contributions to the NFL, Patterson has an Australian Spouse, Claire Patterson, whom he married in April 2022. Posting a picture of them kissing on Instagram, Patterson captioned it, “One year ago today, I married my best friend.” As for Claire, she has been a constant supporter of Patterson from his Memphis days. Going back to 2018, Patterson posted a picture of them expressing how she makes him feel at home in Memphis: “She makes Memphis feel like home.”

Although Patterson remains busy building his NFL career in the Stateside, Claire pursues her education at Macquarie University in Australia. She has even worked multiple jobs, starting as a Pharmacy Assistant at Lotus Pharmacy in New South Wales, Australia. And that was just the beginning of the hard work she had kept on doing over the years. From working as a Barista at McDonald’s to a Teachers Aide at Redlands, Australia. Claire’s final job update came as a Child Care Manager for the Ridge Street Kids Club in her home state, Sydney.

As the couple continues to navigate through their cross-continent relationship, Patterson joins the Jets to help them get over their field goal struggles.

Riley Patterson joins the green and white as their new kicker this season

Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein has had an awful season this year. Having missed only three field goals last year, Zuerlein failed to convert his sixth field goal attempt last Sunday. Well, his 44-yard field goal attempt and an extra point proved to be costly, as the Jets lost their fifth in a row against the Patriots.

With him added to the injury reserves, citing an ailing left knee. The Jets have brought Edwardsville graduate Patterson into their roster. And the 6-foot kicker brings a bucket full of experience on his back. Although he has filled in practice squads for the Vikings and the Patriots, Patterson also has 39 regular season games under his belt. However, most of those came with the Lions, the Jaguars, and the Browns.

Before signing with the Jets on their practice squads, Patterson was part of the Commanders in preseason. Over the two games he played in Washington, Patterson had 2-of-5 field goal attempts, while 1 for 1 for an extra point. Well, looking back at the five seasons he had in the NFL, Patterson’s numbers aren’t really that bad. He has an 88% field goal success rate (88%) with an even better extra point percentage. (96%)

If given a chance to impress in New York. Patterson could help the Jets score those crucial field goals that could have brought them a bunch of wins this season. While we look forward to his debut wearing the green and white, his wife, Claire Patterson, will surely be there cheering him on in new colors.

While we wait for Riley Patterson to make his debut for the Jets. Do check out our latest Think Tank exclusive interview with Emily and Erin Griffin as they continue to change the NFL world.