A former Georgia Bulldog has landed a new home in the NFL. Former Georgia tight end John FitzPatrick will now be joining the Cleveland Browns practice squad. FitzPatrick is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Marist High School before heading to Athens to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. FitzPatrick would later be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
The 6-foot-7 tight end out of Georgia suffered an Achilles tear against the Chicago Bears while he was with the Green Bay Packers. FitzPatrick was cleared to continue his football activities on Sept. 19. He has 12 receptions for 72 yards and 1 touchdown averaging 6.0 yards per catch. At just 26 years of age, FitzPatrick will look to lock in with his new
team and provide help where he possibly can.
Prior to signing with the Browns, FitzPatrick played with the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers.
He was a standout tight end for the Marist War Eagles and during his senior season, FitzPatrick had 21 receptions for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch, utilizing his mismatch size against defensive backs. FitzPatrick ranked in the top 36 in class 4A for receiving yards during his senior season at Marist. FitzPatrick also starred at defensive end.
FitzPatrick was at Georgia from 2018 to 2021, redshirting in his first season and winning a national championship in his final campaign as a Bulldog. FitzPatrick played in 38 total games at Georgia and in those games, he had 17 receptions for 200 yards. However, Fitzpatrick was primarily used as an in-line blocker in his time at Georgia.
Tenure with the Atlanta Falcons
From 2022 to 2024, FitzPatrick would suit up with the Falcons where he was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL draft. He would appear in nine regular season games during the 2023 season, mainly in a blocking role. FitzPatrick had only 2 receptions for 14 total receiving yards in Atlanta.
Tenure with the Green Bay Packers
FitzPatrick was apart of the Green Bay Packers from 2024 to 2025 where he would up his receiving impact just a bit adding 12 receptions for 72 yards and 1 touchdown in four starts before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in December of 2025 during his best NFL season. The Packers did not re-sign FitzPatrick during the offseason.
The Cleveland Browns clearly see fit in the 26-year old tight end out of Georgia and now FitzPatrick will get the chance to earn a spot on the Browns' 53-man roster.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Former Georgia TE signs with Cleveland Browns
