According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions are signing veteran linebacker KJ Britt off the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
Britt was a fifth-round draft pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, and played 59 games for them over four seasons—including 15 starts. Last year, he was with the Miami Dolphins, playing in all 17 games and starting one. This year, he failed to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster, but they kept him on the practice squad, and he was held up for the team’s Week 5 game against the Raiders.
For most of his career, Britt served as a special teamer. In just over five seasons in the NFL, Britt played 1,303 special teams snaps compared to 994 on defense—and he logged over 250 special teams snaps in four of his first five NFL seasons.
There’s a good chance Britt will play a role early in Detroit. With the Lions likely to lean more on the likes of Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, and Trevor Nowaske on defense—with Amen Ogbongbemiga and Joe Bachie potentially in the mix—the Lions need more experience on special teams and defensive reserves.
Britt should be a good fit in Detroit, as a high-effort player who was a captain at Auburn.
Detroit should have a good handle on who Britt is as a person and player, as he overlapped with current Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers throughout his time with the Buccaneers.