Patrick Scales Bio
Patrick Scales is an American professional football long snapper born on February 11, 1988. He has played for several NFL teams including the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and currently the Chicago Bears. Scales played college football for the Utah State Aggies and has been active in the NFL since 2011.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Scales was born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He attended Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah, where he played high school football. At Weber, he was a second-team all-region selection and contributed as a tight end, defensive end, and long snapper. Besides football, Scales also played basketball and baseball during his high school years. He earned academic all-state and all-region honors, demonstrating a strong balance between athletics and academics.
Path to American Football
Scales played college football at Utah State University from 2007 to 2010 after being redshirted in 2006. He developed his skills as a long snapper during this time, which prepared him for professional opportunities. Despite going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, he was rated as the 11th best long snapper by NFLDraftScout.com, highlighting his potential at the professional level.
His early professional career involved multiple short stints with NFL teams, where he sought to establish himself as a reliable long snapper. These experiences helped him gain valuable exposure and experience in the league.
Patrick Scales Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Patrick Scales began his professional career by signing with the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. Although initially released before the season started, he re-signed with the Ravens in 2012 but was again released before the regular season. In 2013, Scales signed with the Miami Dolphins and later with the New York Jets, but both tenures were brief. In 2014, he signed a futures contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was released in April of the same year.
Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2014–Present)
Scales returned to the Baltimore Ravens in December 2014 and made his NFL debut against the Houston Texans. However, he was released by the Ravens in August 2015. Later that year, Scales signed with the Chicago Bears, marking the beginning of a long-term tenure. He quickly became a mainstay at the long snapper position for the Bears, signing multiple contract extensions through 2024.
Despite suffering a torn ACL in the 2017 preseason that placed him on injured reserve, Scales returned to form and continued to be a consistent presence on the Bears’ special teams unit. His reliability and experience have made him a valued member of the team. In March 2023, he signed a contract extension, making him the longest-tenured player on the Chicago Bears roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Patrick Scales is known for his precision and consistency in snapping the football during punts and field goals. His technique and timing contribute significantly to special teams’ success. His experience and composure under pressure have been key strengths throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Scales’ career milestones includes his NFL debut with the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. His longevity with the Chicago Bears, spanning nearly a decade, highlights his durability and value to the team. Despite injuries, he has maintained a high level of performance and professionalism.
Patrick Scales Career Wins
While long snappers do not accumulate wins in the traditional sense, Patrick Scales’ career is marked by his steady presence on special teams across multiple NFL franchises. His contributions have supported team successes over his career.
Other Wins & Performances
Scales’ career highlights include his ability to secure roster spots across several NFL teams and his sustained tenure with the Chicago Bears. His role has been critical in special teams plays, contributing to field position and scoring opportunities.
Patrick Scales Family
Personal Life
Details about Patrick Scales’ personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly available. He maintains a professional focus on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Patrick Scales was placed on injured reserve with a back injury in August 2024. The Chicago Bears signed Scott Daly as his replacement for the season. The Bears opted to keep Daly in 2025, making Scales a free agent after ten years with the team. Scales publicly expressed gratitude to the Bears organization, describing his time in Chicago as a “dream come true” and highlighting the significance of raising his family in the city. His future in the NFL remains open as he recovers and evaluates his next steps.