Veteran defensive lineman Pat O’Connor has officially announced his retirement from the NFL, bringing the curtain down on a nine-year career that started and ended with the Detroit Lions. Originally selected by Detroit in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, O’Connor later spent the majority of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appearing in 68 games and helping the franchise win a Super Bowl before returning to the Lions for his final two seasons. He shared the news on Instagram just days before Detroit’s veterans are due to report for training camp.
Reflecting on his journey, O’Connor wrote, “What a ride it’s been. After 9 incredible years, I think it’s finally time to hang up the cleats.” Looking back on everything he achieved, he added, “If you had told my younger self that I’d play this long, spend my entire career with just two teams, get drafted, and win a Super Bowl, he would have called you crazy. But here we are.” O’Connor also thanked his teammates, coaches and friends before turning his attention to life after football, saying, “As one chapter closes, another begins. Now it’s time to enter the real world. I’m beyond excited and ready for whatever comes next.”
Who Is Pat O’Connor? A Look At His Early Life And Childhood
Pat O’Connor, whose full name is Patrick Joseph O’Connor, is a former NFL defensive lineman who recently brought an end to his nine-year professional career after announcing his retirement in July 2026. Born on November 1, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, O’Connor spent his childhood in the city and attended St. Rita of Cascia High School, a program well known for producing talented athletes. During his early years, he earned a reputation for his determination and tireless work ethic, qualities that would later become the foundation of his NFL career.
O’Connor continued his football journey at Eastern Michigan University, where he developed into one of the school’s most accomplished defensive players. He finished his college career as Eastern Michigan’s all-time leader in sacks (20), forced fumbles (7), and quarterback hurries (28), establishing himself as one of the program’s standout defenders. His performances helped pave the way to the NFL, where he went on to enjoy nearly a decade in the league despite entering as a late-round draft pick.
Pat O’Connor’s NFL Career and Biggest Achievements
Pat O’Connor’s biggest career achievement came during the 2020 season when he helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV, earning a championship ring after the team’s dominant victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Although he entered the NFL as the 250th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2017 Draft, O’Connor built a reputation as a dependable defensive lineman and one of the league’s most reliable special teams contributors.
Much of O’Connor’s success came from his consistency and versatility rather than eye-catching statistics. During Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl-winning campaign, he featured in all four playoff games and handled a major workload on special teams, playing 77 percent of the unit’s snaps, the second-highest total on the Buccaneers roster that season. Before reaching the NFL, he also left a lasting mark at Eastern Michigan, finishing his college career as the program’s all-time leader in sacks (20), forced fumbles (7) and quarterback hurries (28).
Across nine NFL seasons, O’Connor appeared in 88 regular-season games and seven playoff contests, recording 52 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. After initially being released by Detroit, he spent seven seasons with the Buccaneers, featuring in 68 regular-season games as a valuable rotational defender and special teams specialist. He returned to the Lions in 2024, adding experienced depth to the defensive line and making the first three starts of his NFL career during the 2025 season, completing a full-circle journey with the franchise that originally drafted him.
What Is Pat O’Connor’s Net Worth? A Look at His NFL Career Earnings
Pat O’Connor is estimated to have a net worth ranging between $3 million and $5 million, built largely through his nine-year NFL career as a defensive lineman and special teams contributor. According to reports, he earned $7.31 million in career salary during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Despite entering the league as a seventh-round draft pick, O’Connor’s longevity and consistency helped him carve out a financially successful career.
Most of his earnings came during his seven seasons with the Buccaneers, where he made approximately $4.93 million, while his stints with the Lions brought in around $2.39 million. His annual salary steadily increased over the years, rising from rookie-level deals to veteran contracts, with his highest single-season payout coming in 2025. Winning Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay also added playoff and championship bonuses to his overall career earnings.
While his career income exceeded $7 million, his net worth reflects deductions such as taxes, agent commissions and other professional expenses. O’Connor also benefited from the financial stability that came with a lengthy NFL career, and his ability to remain on active rosters for nearly a decade played a key role in building his wealth before announcing his retirement at the age of 32.
