Robert Spillane

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Recorded over 100 tackles in back-to-back seasons: 158 in 2024 and 148 in 2023.

• Spillane's 158 tackles in 2024 set a Raiders single-season record and ranked third in the NFL.

• His 3 interceptions in 2023 tied for fourth in the league among linebackers and were also the most in a single season by a Raiders linebacker since 2007 (Kirk Morrison, 4).

• In 2023, Spillane became the only player in Raiders history (since 1987) to record 100+ tackles, 3.0-plus sacks and 3-plus interceptions in a single season.

• Owns 480 tackles since the beginning of the 2022 season, the third most in the NFL among undrafted defenders, behind only Chicago's LB T.J. Edwards (508) and Pittsburgh Steelers LB Alex Singleton (493).

• Played under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee in 2018.

Seasonal reviews

2025 (13/13, 4/4)

• Started all 13 games he played in and led the team with 97 tackles. Added 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.

• Started all four postseason games and registered 18 tackles (6 solo, 12 assists) and 2 passes defensed.

• Named a team captain for the third straight year after serving the last two years as a team captain with Las Vegas.

• Had four games with at least 10 tackles:

• Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh (15)

• Week 4 vs. Carolina (10)

• Week 6 at New Orleans (11)

• Week 8 vs. Cleveland (14)

• Recorded his first sack as a Patriot at Miami (9/14) when he forced QB Tua Tagovailoa out of bounds on a third-and-12 situation in the fourth quarter. The play set up the game-sealing sack by DT Milton Williams immediately after, securing the 33-27 victory for New England.

• Logged 15 tackles (10 solo), 1 interception, 1 pass defensed and 1 tackle for loss vs. Pittsburgh (9/21). He became the only Patriot to record those stats since 2000 and the 10th player in the NFL to do so since 2000. It was his first interception as a Patriot, coming on a QB Aaron Rodgers pass in the third quarter, which he returned 37 yards, the longest interception return of his career. It was also the second-most tackles he has recorded in a game, with his career high of 16 coming vs. the L.A. Chargers on Jan. 5, 2025.

• Finished with 10 tackles (4 solo) vs. Carolina (9/28), his second-consecutive game with double-digit tackles. He became the first Patriots player with consecutive 10-tackle games since LB Ja'Whaun Bentley had a streak of three-straight games with 10 or more tackles in 2022 with 10 tackles at Arizona (12/12), 10 tackles at Las Vegas (12/18) and 11 tackles vs. Cincinnati (12/24).

• Finished with a game-high 8 tackles and a forced a fumble at Buffalo (10/5) after a short reception by WR Keon Coleman that was recovered by S Jaylinn Hawkins at the Buffalo 10-yard line in the first quarter to set up a 30-yard field goal.

• Had his second interception of the season vs. Cleveland (10/26) when he picked off QB Dillon Gabriel in the third quarter on a pass intended for TE David Njoku and returned it 31 yards, helping to set up a 1-yard touchdown pass from QB Drake Maye to WR Stefon Diggs. Became the first Patriots linebacker with 2 interceptions in a single season since LB Jahlani Tavai had 2 interceptions in 2023. Also had his fourth game in 2025 with 10-plus tackles after finishing with a team-leading 14.

• Dressed but did not play vs. Buffalo (12/14) due to a foot injury that limited him during the practice week.

• Inactive at Baltimore (12/21), at the N.Y. Jets (12/18) and vs. Miami (1/4) due to injury.

• Returned to play vs. the L.A. Chargers (1/11/26) in the Wild Card Round, finishing with 6 tackles (2 solo) and 1 pass defensed.

• Logged 2 tackles before leaving the AFC Championship at Denver (1/25/26) in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

• Returned to action in Super Bowl LX vs. Seattle (2/8/26) after suffering an injury early in the AFC Championship Game at Denver (1/25/26).

PRONOUNCED spuh-LANE

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Robert Spillane was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Las Vegas on March 13, 2025 ... Originally signed by Tennessee as a rookie free agent (5/14/18) ... Released by Tennessee (9/1/18) ... Signed by Tennessee to the practice squad (9/2/18) ... Signed by Tennessee to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (10/9/18) ... Released by Tennessee (10/29/18) ... Signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent (2/8/19) ... Released by Pittsburgh (8/31/19) ... Signed by Pittsburgh to the practice squad (9/1/19) ... Released by Pittsburgh from the practice squad (9/25/19) ... Signed by Pittsburgh to the practice squad (10/8/19) ... Signed by Pittsburgh to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (11/5/19) ... Re-signed by Pittsburgh as an exclusive-rights free agent (3/24/21) ... Re-signed by Pittsburgh as a restricted free agent (4/8/22) ... Signed by Las Vegas as an unrestricted free agent from Pittsburgh (3/16/23).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Recorded over 100 tackles in back-to-back seasons: 158 in 2024 and 148 in 2023.
• Spillane's 158 tackles in 2024 set a Raiders single-season record and ranked third in the NFL.
• His 3 interceptions in 2023 tied for fourth in the league among linebackers and were also the most in a single season by a Raiders linebacker since 2007 (Kirk Morrison, 4).
• In 2023, Spillane became the only player in Raiders history (since 1987) to record 100+ tackles, 3.0-plus sacks and 3-plus interceptions in a single season.
• Owns 480 tackles since the beginning of the 2022 season, the third most in the NFL among undrafted defenders, behind only Chicago's LB T.J. Edwards (508) and Pittsburgh Steelers LB Alex Singleton (493).
• Played under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee in 2018.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2025 (13/13, 4/4)

• Started all 13 games he played in and led the team with 97 tackles. Added 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.
• Started all four postseason games and registered 18 tackles (6 solo, 12 assists) and 2 passes defensed.
• Named a team captain for the third straight year after serving the last two years as a team captain with Las Vegas.
• Had four games with at least 10 tackles: 
  - Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh (15)
  - Week 4 vs. Carolina (10)
  - Week 6 at New Orleans (11)
  - Week 8 vs. Cleveland (14)
• Recorded his first sack as a Patriot at Miami (9/14) when he forced QB Tua Tagovailoa out of bounds on a third-and-12 situation in the fourth quarter. The play set up the game-sealing sack by DT Milton Williams immediately after, securing the 33-27 victory for New England.
• Logged 15 tackles (10 solo), 1 interception, 1 pass defensed and 1 tackle for loss vs. Pittsburgh (9/21). He became the only Patriot to record those stats since 2000 and the 10th player in the NFL to do so since 2000. It was his first interception as a Patriot, coming on a QB Aaron Rodgers pass in the third quarter, which he returned 37 yards, the longest interception return of his career. It was also the second-most tackles he has recorded in a game, with his career high of 16 coming vs. the L.A. Chargers on Jan. 5, 2025.
• Finished with 10 tackles (4 solo) vs. Carolina (9/28), his second-consecutive game with double-digit tackles. He became the first Patriots player with consecutive 10-tackle games since LB Ja'Whaun Bentley had a streak of three-straight games with 10 or more tackles in 2022 with 10 tackles at Arizona (12/12), 10 tackles at Las Vegas (12/18) and 11 tackles vs. Cincinnati (12/24).
• Finished with a game-high 8 tackles and a forced a fumble at Buffalo (10/5) after a short reception by WR Keon Coleman that was recovered by S Jaylinn Hawkins at the Buffalo 10-yard line in the first quarter to set up a 30-yard field goal.
• Had his second interception of the season vs. Cleveland (10/26) when he picked off QB Dillon Gabriel in the third quarter on a pass intended for TE David Njoku and returned it 31 yards, helping to set up a 1-yard touchdown pass from QB Drake Maye to WR Stefon Diggs. Became the first Patriots linebacker with 2 interceptions in a single season since LB Jahlani Tavai had 2 interceptions in 2023. Also had his fourth game in 2025 with 10-plus tackles after finishing with a team-leading 14.
• Dressed but did not play vs. Buffalo (12/14) due to a foot injury that limited him during the practice week.
• Inactive at Baltimore (12/21), at the N.Y. Jets (12/18) and vs. Miami (1/4) due to injury.
• Returned to play vs. the L.A. Chargers (1/11/26) in the Wild Card Round, finishing with 6 tackles (2 solo) and 1 pass defensed.
• Logged 2 tackles before leaving the AFC Championship at Denver (1/25/26) in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
• Returned to action in Super Bowl LX vs. Seattle (2/8/26) after suffering an injury early in the AFC Championship Game at Denver (1/25/26).

2024 (17/17 - LAS VEGAS)

• Started all 17 games and finished with a career-high and Raiders single-season record 158 tackles (91 solo, 67 assists), 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, a career-high 7 passes defensed and 3 quarterback hits. Had eight games with 10-plus tackles, a career high.
• Intercepted QB Lamar Jackson on a pass intended for WR Rashod Bateman in the third quarter at Baltimore (9/15), which led to a 1-yard rushing touchdown by RB Alexander Mattison in the 26-23 victory.
• Brought down QB Andy Dalton for a 6-yard loss in the second quarter vs. Carolina (9/22).
• Intercepted QB Kirk Cousins in the third quarter vs. Atlanta (12/16) on a pass intended for WR Charlie Woerner.
• Sacked QB Spencer Rattler for a 10-yard loss in the third quarter at New Orleans (12/29) to force a punt in the 25-10 victory.
• Recorded a single-game career high 16 total tackles (6 solo, 10 assists) vs. the L.A. Chargers (1/5).

2023 (17/17 - LAS VEGAS)

• Started in all 17 games, finishing with 148 total tackles (82 solo, 66 assists), a career-high 31/2 sacks, a career-high 3 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, 4 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. The 148 tackles in 2023 were the 10th most in the NFL, and his 3 interceptions ranked fourth in the league among linebackers. His 3 interceptions were also the most in a single season by a Raiders linebacker since 2007 (Kirk Morrison, 4).
• In coverage, allowed just a 78.8 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, the seventh lowest mark among linebackers in the NFL (min. 40 targets). Was one of just four linebackers in the NFL and just the fourth player in Raiders history (since 1982) to record 3.0+ sacks and 3+ interceptions in a single season.
• Logged six games with 10-plus tackles, tied for the fourth most double-digit tackle games in a single season in Raiders franchise history.
• Totaled 9 tackles (7 solo, 2 assists), 2 interceptions and 2 passes defensed in a 17-13 victory vs. Green Bay (10/9), notching his first game with multiple interceptions, becoming the first Raiders defender since 2020 (S Jeff Heath, 11/15/20) to record 2 interceptions in a single game. Also became the first Raiders linebacker to have 2 interceptions in a single game since 2001 (William Thomas, 12/15/01 at SD). The first interception came on a pass from QB Jordan Love intended for WR Romeo Doubs in the second quarter, which Spillane returned 24 yards to the Green Bay 7-yard line to help set up a 26-yard field goal by K Daniel Carlson. The second was on a pass by Love intended for WR Christian Watson in the fourth quarter, which he returned 4 yards to the Las Vegas 42-yard line.
• Recovered a fumble by RB Josh Reynolds that was forced by LB Luke Masterson in the first quarter at Detroit (10/30).
• Tied for the team lead with 7 total tackles (4 solo, 3 assists) and added 1 sack, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception (25 INT return yards), becoming the first Raiders defender since 2016 (Khalil Mack, 11/27/16 vs. CAR) to record 1.0-plus sack and 1-plus interception in a single game. The interception came on a pass from QB Zach Wilson intended for WR Allen Lazard in the fourth quarter to help seal the 16-12 victory. Earned Week 10 AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.
• Tied for the team lead with 10 total tackles (7 solo, 3 assists) and added 1.0 sack, 2 tackles for loss and a quarterback hit vs. Minnesota (12/10), notching his fourth game with 10-plus tackles.
• Finished with a team-high 12 tackles (5 solo, 7 assists), registering his sixth game with 10-plus total tackles vs. Denver (1/7).

2022 (16/5 - PITTSBURGH)

• Played in 16 games with five starts at linebacker, finishing with 77 tackles (50 solo, 27 assists), 1 sack, 4 passes defensed and 2 quarterback hits. Recorded 5 or more tackles in nine games.
• Sacked QB Joe Burrow at Cincinnati (9/11) in the second quarter of a 23-20 overtime victory on opening weekend.
• Made his first start at linebacker vs. New Orleans (11/13) and tallied 7 tackles (5 solo, 2 assists).
• Recorded a season-high 12 tackles (7 solo, 5 assists) vs. Las Vegas (12/24).

2021 (14/4, 1/1 - PITTSBURGH)

• Played in 14 games with four starts and totaled 45 tackles (23 solo, 22 assists) with a career-high 11 special teams tackles.
• Finished with 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assists) vs. Las Vegas (9/19), his second career game with 10-plus tackles. Added 2 tackles on special teams.
• Recorded a then single-game career high 13 tackles at Kansas City (12/26).
• Started at linebacker in the Wild Card Round at Kansas City (1/16) and recorded 5 tackles.

2020 (12/7, 1/1 - PITTSBURGH)

• Played in 12 games with seven starts, totaling 43 tackles (37 solo, 6 assists), 4 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception returned for a touchdown.
• Made his first career start at linebacker at Tennessee (10/25) and recorded three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist).
• Started at linebacker at Baltimore (11/1) and registered his first career interception and first career touchdown, picking off QB Lamar Jackson at the Pittsburgh 33-yard line and returning it for a touchdown. Finished with a season-high 11 tackles (10 solo, 1 assist), 1 forced fumble and 2 passes defensed. Recovered a fumble by Jackson that was forced by S Minkah Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter in the 28-24 victory.
• Totaled five tackles and his first career solo sack at Buffalo (11/1).
• Registered 5 tackles (4 solo, 1 assist) and his first career sack, a 6-yard take-down of QB Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter, vs. Cincinnati (11/15) in a 36-10 victory.
• Compiled 3 tackles (2 tackles, 1 solo), 2 passes defensed and a 9-yard sack of QB Alex Smith in the first quarter vs. Washington (12/7).
• Started in the Wild Card Round vs. Cleveland (1/10) and registered 9 tackles (6 solo, 3 assists).

2019 (8/0 - Pittsburgh)

• Spent training camp in Pittsburgh before being signed to the practice squad, where he began the season.
• Signed to the 53-man roster on Nov. 5.
• Appeared in eight games as a primary contributor on special teams, where he recorded 10 tackles.
• Registered 2 special teams tackles in his first game in a Steelers uniform vs. Los Angeles (11/10).
• Totaled a season-high 4 special teams tackles at Cincinnati (11/24).

2018 (2/0 - Tennessee)

• Signed by Tennessee as a rookie free agent.
• After being released after training camp, began the season on the Titans' practice squad before signing to the active roster for two games.
• Made his NFL debut vs. Baltimore (10/14), seeing action on special teams.
• Saw action on special teams in second career game at Los Angeles (10/21), then was released on Oct. 29.

COLLEGE

• In four years at Western Michigan (2014-17), recorded 312 total tackles, 32 and 1/2 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, four interceptions, five passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles, earning All Mid-American Conference Second Team honors in both his junior and senior seasons.
• As a senior in 2017, registered four games with 10 or more tackles.
• Returned a 35-yard interception for a touchdown against Kent State (11/8/17), the only touchdown of his career.
• Led the team with 105 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions as a junior.
• Named a four-time MAC West Defensive Player of the Week in 2016 as a junior.
• Totaled a career high 14 tackles vs. Eastern Michigan (10/22/16).

PERSONAL

• Attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill., where he registered 13 total touchdowns as a junior for a total of 1,1162 all-purpose yards.
• Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, and 247 Sports, coming in as the 29th best recruit in the state of Illinois.
• High school team advanced to the second round of the Illinois state playoffs.
• Grandfather, John Lattner, won the 1953 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame.