You don't survive in the NFL as a seventh-round pick for nearly a decade by being average. Most guys taken at pick 250—literally three slots away from being "Mr. Irrelevant"—are lucky to survive their first training camp. Yet, here we are in 2026, and Pat O'Connor is still out there, grinding in the trenches.
He's not a household name like Aidan Hutchinson or Vita Vea. You won't see his jersey sold in every Dick’s Sporting Goods. But if you’re a coach, Pat O'Connor is exactly the kind of player you want on your 53-man roster. He’s a "glue guy."
Honesty is key here: O'Connor's career hasn't been a straight line to stardom. It’s been a series of practice squad signings, releases, injury settlements, and "prove-it" moments. It’s a classic story of an Eastern Michigan standout who turned a high motor into a Super Bowl ring.
From Eastern Michigan Record Breaker to NFL Draft Afterthought
Before the NFL, O'Connor was a nightmare for quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). At Eastern Michigan, he was basically a wrecking ball. He finished his college career with 20.0 sacks, which was the school record since 1998.
The Lions took a flyer on him in the 2017 NFL Draft. It was the 7th round. Expectations were low. He didn't even make the Lions' final roster that first year, eventually landing on their practice squad before getting cut loose entirely in September.
That could have been the end. Most 7th-rounders go home at that point and start a career in insurance. But O'Connor headed south to Tampa Bay, and that’s where things got interesting.
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The Tampa Bay Years and a Super Bowl Ring
The Buccaneers saw something in O'Connor that the Lions originally missed. Between 2017 and 2023, he became a fixture in Tampa. He wasn't always a starter, but he was always there.
You've gotta look at the 2020 season to see his peak value. While everyone was talking about Tom Brady and the offense, O'Connor was quietly holding down the fort on special teams and providing rotational depth. He played in all four playoff games during that Super Bowl LV run.
- First Career Sack: December 13, 2020, against Kirk Cousins.
- Special Teams Prowess: He became one of the Bucs' most trusted "core" special teamers.
- The Ring: He earned a Super Bowl ring as Tampa dismantled the Chiefs.
He eventually signed multiple one-year deals to stay in Florida. Why? Because he's a 300-pounder who can run a 4.84-second 40-yard dash. Coaches love that combination.
The 2024-2025 Detroit Lions Reunion
In 2024, O'Connor’s career came full circle. He went back to the Detroit Lions.
It was a perfect "right place, right time" situation. The Lions’ defensive line was getting decimated by injuries—Aidan Hutchinson’s leg injury being the most devastating. Detroit needed a veteran who knew how to play multiple spots.
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He didn't just sit on the bench. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games and put up a career-high 13 tackles and a sack. He was playing over 200 defensive snaps—a massive workload for a guy who spent most of his career on the fringes of the roster.
The Recent Injury Rollercoaster
The 2025 season has been... well, it's been rough. O'Connor entered the year with a one-year contract, but the injury bug finally caught up to him.
A knee injury in November 2025 sidelined him just as the Lions were making a playoff push. On November 14, he was placed on Injured Reserve. A day later, he was waived with an injury settlement.
Most people thought that was the end. Again.
But Pat O'Connor is basically the "Terminator" of practice squad players. By December 8, 2025, he had recovered from the knee issue and Detroit signed him right back to the practice squad. As we head into early 2026, he remains a vital insurance policy for a Lions team looking to make a deep run.
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Why the Pat O'Connor NFL Story Actually Matters
So, why do people search for Pat O'Connor NFL? It’s not because they’re looking for Pro Bowl highlights. They’re looking for a blueprint of professional longevity.
O'Connor represents the 90% of the NFL that doesn't get the Gatorade commercials. His career earnings are north of $7 million—not bad for a 7th-round pick who was cut by his first team within months. He's a reminder that "availability is the best ability."
He's also a lesson in versatility. O'Connor can play defensive end in a 3-4, kick inside to defensive tackle in sub-packages, and cover punts on special teams. If you can do three things well, you'll have a job in this league for a long time.
Understanding the Numbers: Pat O'Connor's Impact
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Draft Position | Round 7, Pick 250 (2017) |
| Primary Teams | Buccaneers (2017–2023), Lions (2024–Present) |
| Career Highs | 18 Total Tackles (2024), 1.0 Sack (Multiple times) |
| Biggest Achievement | Super Bowl LV Champion |
The reality of the NFL is that most careers last 3.3 years. O'Connor is currently entering his ninth year. That is a statistical anomaly. It’s a testament to his high football IQ—something he credited to his medical redshirt year at Eastern Michigan where he learned to "dissect and understand defenses" from the sidelines.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans and Aspiring Players
If you're following O'Connor's career or trying to emulate his path, here is what actually works:
- Master Special Teams: O'Connor kept his job in Tampa for seven years because he was a core special teams player. If you aren't a starter, you better be a special teams demon.
- Film Study is Non-Negotiable: He has frequently mentioned that watching film helped him play all positions on the defensive line. Knowledge compensates for lack of elite, top-tier speed.
- Don't Fear the Practice Squad: Being waived isn't a death sentence. O'Connor was waived/re-signed more than half a dozen times. Stay ready, stay in shape, and stay by the phone.
- Versatility is King: Weighing 300 lbs while maintaining the speed to play the edge makes you a defensive coordinator's "Swiss Army Knife."
The next time you see #95 (or whatever number he's wearing this week) run down the field on a kickoff, remember that he’s been doing this since Tom Brady was in his prime. He’s the ultimate survivor in a league that tries to replace you every single spring.
Keep an eye on the Lions' practice squad elevations as the playoffs continue. With his knee fully recovered, O'Connor is exactly the kind of veteran presence Detroit will lean on if the starters get gassed during a fourth-quarter drive.