Patriots sign award-winning college receiver to future contract

Lynn Bowden was easy to spot in the Patriots locker room.

The practice squad receiver was often by his locker smiling or joking around with teammates during the 2022 NFL season. Bowden was only elevated for one game last year, but it was clear that was well-liked inside Gillette Stadium.

Bowden has even more reasons to smile this week.

On Monday, the Patriots signed Bowden to a reserve/future contract. That’ll put the receiver on the Patriots depth chart this offseason where he’ll participate in the team’s offseason workout program for the first time. Bowden, 25, could be an exciting player to watch next summer.

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Bowden entered the NFL as the most versatile player in college football. In 2019, he won the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the most versatile player in college football. At Kentucky, Bowden played as a wildcat quarterback, receiver and running back. He was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round (80th overall) in 2020.

Bowden was one of three Paul Hornung Award winners on the Patriots roster last season, joining Jabrill Peppers (2016) and Marcus Jones (2021).

Bowden’s road in the NFL hasn’t been easy. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins as a rookie. That year, he played in 10 games where he caught 28 passes for 211 yards. He also had nine carries for 32 rushing yards. The next year, in 2021, Bowden spent the entire season on the injured reserve. Last year, he was released at the end of training camp and signed to the Patriots practice squad on Sept. 1.

Bowden played in one game with the Patriots in Week 9 where he played 14 offensive snaps. It also felt noteworthy that Bowden’s locker was moved right next to Mac Jones this past season. Maybe that will lead to a connection between the pair this offseason.