Report: Former Lion Miles Killebrew signing 1-year deal with Steelers

The 2021 Detroit Lions will be without one of their best special teamers from the previous five seasons. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Miles Killebrew will be signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Killebrew was drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. While there was some early hope that Killebrew would grow as a defender and play a role as a safety. However, Killebrew’s true value was discovered on special teams, as the Lions struggled to find the proper spot—linebacker or safety—on defense.

But Killebrew paid off as both a full-time player and leader on special teams. His contributions were enough to earn him a re-signing in 2020, and he was also named the team’s NFL Players Association representative last year.

It is a bit surprising to see Killebrew go, considering both his significant contributions on special teams and his leadership qualities that were obvious to anyone in the Lions locker room. However, he becomes the ninth player from the 2020 Lions who has signed to another team (Jamal Agnew, Jarrad Davis, Marvin Jones Jr., Matt Prater, Reggie Ragland, Oday Aboushi, Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman).

Track all of the Lions' free agency moves here.