He played for the Baltimore Ravens for the first four seasons of his career. Now, the linebacker and star special teams player is headed back to Baltimore, according to NFL Network, following one-year stints with the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots.
After the 2021 season, Board departed the Ravens in pursuit of additional defensive experience. After joining the Lions and moving to their land of opportunity, the linebacker spent his one and only season in Detroit playing primarily on special teams and getting one start.
The previous season, the 28-year-old lived in New England. But he played 400+ snaps on special teams for the first time in his career while playing the fewest defensive snaps in his career.
Reuniting with the organization that signed him as an undrafted free agent and helped him grow into one of the league’s most dependable special team players is important to Board. And on the way out of Baltimore, he may challenge Patrick Queen for reps.
The Lions have a wealth of linebackers, so they had to make some difficult choices this offseason about their special teams. After not receiving a new contract offer, Anthony Pittman joined with the Washington Commanders. Chase Lucas was also permitted to sign with the San Francisco 49ers.
Adding Board after losing Pittman was an intriguing thought around these parts. The Lions made Jalen Reeves-Maybin the highest-paid core special teamer in the league. They return Khalil Dorsey, as well. And they also got promising developments from linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez in the first year of his switch to a more special teams-focused role, so the Lions should feel mostly set there.
Board has played 840 defensive snaps and another 2,128 reps on special teams in his six seasons in the league. He’s also proven durable, missing only two games along the way.
