An undrafted linebacker out of Western Michigan who has become one of the league's most reliable tackling machines and defensive signal-callers.
Robert Spillane has built an eight-year career on the strength of instincts and toughness, going from an undrafted free agent with the Titans to a green-dot defensive leader for the Patriots. He has posted three straight seasons with elite tackle production, most recently anchoring New England's defense.
Path to the league
Spillane starred at Western Michigan from 2014-17, recording 312 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks over four seasons, earning All-MAC Second Team honors as both a junior and senior. He went unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent.
Career highlights
Spillane has played for the Titans, Steelers, Raiders and Patriots since entering the league, appearing in 86 games with 50 starts through his career. He posted a career-high 158 tackles in 2024 with Las Vegas, adding seven pass deflections and two sacks.
2025 season recap
New England signed Spillane in free agency in 2025, and he quickly became the hub of the Patriots' defense, wearing the green dot as the on-field defensive communicator. Despite missing four games to injury, he led the team in tackles with 97 and added two interceptions, a forced fumble, a sack and five passes defensed.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Robert Spillane
- Pro Football Reference: Robert Spillane
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
13 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | patriots | 13 | 97 | 48 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2024 | raiders | 17 | 158 | 91 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 | raiders | 17 | 148 | 82 | 3.5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2022 | steelers | 16 | 79 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | steelers | 14 | 56 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | steelers | 12 | 45 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 | steelers | 8 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Western Michigan
- Hometown
- Oak Park, IL, USA
- Age
- 30
- Status
- active
