Pat O'Connor Retires After Grind | Detroit Lions News

Detroit Lions News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 17, 2026 · 1m

Pat O’Connor, the gritty defensive lineman who clawed his way through the NFL for years, has officially retired after a career defined by persistence and heart. Drafted by the Lions in 2017, he began his journey with Tampa Bay, where he earned a Super Bowl ring in 2020 and battled through multiple cuts and re-signings. He finished with 88 games, a career-high 18 tackles in 2024, and added 10 more tackles in his final season. O’Connor’s story is one of relentless hustle — grinding on the edges of rosters, never giving up, and ultimately walking away with his helmet held high, proud of a solid…