Pat O’Connor Bio
Patrick Joseph O’Connor, born on November 1, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the Eastern Michigan Eagles and currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 300 pounds, O’Connor has built a career as a rotational defensive lineman and reliable special teams contributor since entering the league in 2017.
O’Connor was selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and has since spent time with both the Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Buccaneers and continues his career in the NFL as a veteran presence on the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Joseph O’Connor was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he developed an early interest in football. He attended Chicago St. Rita High School, a program with a long tradition of producing college-level football talent. At St. Rita, O’Connor played on the defensive line and began attracting attention from college recruiters for his size and motor.
Coming out of high school, O’Connor committed to Eastern Michigan University, joining the Eastern Michigan Eagles. He spent his college career working on his game at the Mid-American Conference level, where he developed into a starting defensive end and a respected leader in the locker room.
Path to American Football
At Eastern Michigan, O’Connor appeared in games from 2012 through 2016, lining up primarily at defensive end. He recorded 166 total tackles and 20 sacks during his college career, showcasing a consistent ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. As a senior, he tallied 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks, finishing his final season on a strong note.
His production in the Mid-American Conference earned him recognition as a two-time First-team All-MAC selection in 2014 and 2016. O’Connor’s combination of size, technique, and durability made him an intriguing late-round prospect heading into the 2017 NFL Draft.
Pat O’Connor Career
Early Career (2017)
The Detroit Lions selected O’Connor in the seventh round with the 250th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 12, 2017, the Lions signed him to a four-year contract worth roughly $2.46 million, including a signing bonus. He was waived in early September but quickly moved to the Lions’ practice squad before being released shortly thereafter.
On October 9, 2017, O’Connor was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 29, beginning what would become a long association with the Buccaneers organization.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2017–2023)
O’Connor spent the bulk of his early career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he developed into a dependable special teams player and rotational defensive lineman. In Week 14 of the 2020 season against the Minnesota Vikings, O’Connor recorded his first career sack, taking down Kirk Cousins in a 26–14 win. He went on to play in all four games of the Buccaneers’ playoff run, contributing to the team’s victory in Super Bowl LV.
Following the Super Bowl championship, O’Connor continued to play a key role on special teams in 2021 before suffering a knee injury in Week 15 that landed him on injured reserve. He returned to the Buccaneers in 2022 on a one-year contract and was again re-signed for the 2023 season, shuttling between the practice squad and active roster throughout the year.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
On August 1, 2024, O’Connor returned to the Detroit Lions, the team that originally drafted him. He was released late in August and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in October. His veteran presence and special teams experience made him a valuable addition to the Lions’ defensive line rotation.
In March 2025, the Lions re-signed O’Connor to a one-year contract, keeping him in Detroit. He was placed on injured reserve in November before being released and later re-signed to the practice squad in December, extending his NFL career into a ninth season.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Connor is valued primarily for his work as a special teams ace and rotational defensive end. At 6 feet 4 inches and 300 pounds, he brings the size needed to anchor against the run while showing enough quickness to pressure pocket passers. His durability and consistent effort have made him a trusted piece for coaching staffs in Detroit and Tampa Bay.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of O’Connor’s career came during the 2020 season, when he played in all four Buccaneers playoff games en route to a Super Bowl LV championship. Recording his first career sack against Kirk Cousins that same season was another defining moment, marking his arrival as a pass-rusher at the professional level.
Pat O’Connor Career Wins
Patrick Joseph O’Connor has notched a Super Bowl championship ring and built a reputation as a reliable special teams performer across multiple organizations. His lone league title came as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV-winning roster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Highlights
O’Connor spent the majority of his career with the Buccaneers from 2017 through 2023, contributing on special teams and along the defensive line. His most significant win came in Super Bowl LV, capping the 2020 playoff run. He also recorded his first career sack during the 2020 regular season.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, O’Connor earned two First-team All-MAC honors in 2014 and 2016, cementing his status as one of the top defensive ends in the Mid-American Conference during his time at Eastern Michigan.
Pat O’Connor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Patrick Joseph O’Connor’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Chicago St. Rita High School, but specific details about his parents and siblings have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
O’Connor has kept much of his personal life private, and there is limited public information about his marital status or children. He continues to reside in the United States while playing for the Detroit Lions.
2025 Season Performance
Patrick Joseph O’Connor entered the 2025 season re-signed by the Detroit Lions on a one-year contract, continuing his role as a rotational defensive end and special teams contributor. He remained with the team through the early months of the season before being placed on injured reserve in mid-November. The Lions released him shortly after, only to bring him back to the practice squad in December.
His veteran presence continued to provide depth along Detroit’s defensive front and on coverage units, even as injuries disrupted his playing time. As a 2017 draft pick now in his ninth professional season, O’Connor offered the Lions a steady, experienced option during a competitive NFC playoff push.
Looking ahead, O’Connor’s experience and special teams value position him as a candidate to continue his NFL career, though his long-term role will depend on health and team needs. His Super Bowl pedigree and durability remain attractive traits for organizations looking for defensive line depth.