The Detroit Lions are just a few days away from their summer break. However, they are altering their lineup at linebacker, as they have waived Steele Chambers to create space for veteran Ben Niemann.
With 1,380 snaps in the last six seasons, Niemann is an intriguing addition to the depth on special teams. From 2019 to 2022, the 28-year-old played a substantial part for the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs on special teams and defense.
The Iowa native played in 11 postseason games and two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, where he won a Super Bowl triumph. In three of the last five seasons, Niemann has participated in more than 400 defensive snaps and more than 240 special teams repetitions.
After spending a year in Arizona, Niemann was unable to make it through the Tennessee Titans’ 2023 training camp. Afterwards, he went on with the Denver practice squad and made seven appearances for Sean Payton’s Broncos.
Niemann played all 134 snaps on special teams during the previous season. Despite going undrafted out of Ohio State, Chambers signed with the Lions soon after the draft and almost made it to the summer on a roster.
It’s one of the deepest linebacker rooms the Lions have had in recent memory. Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Malcolm Anzalone all contribute expertise and familiarity with the scheme.
Rodriguez displayed significant promise in that area of the game last season, while Reeves-Maybin is among the NFL’s greatest special team players. Barnes recently had his finest professional year.
With every season that has gone by in Detroit, Anzalone has improved and developed into a crucial leader for that defense. Entering Year 2, Campbell appears ready to advance further as a first-round pick.
