The Detroit Lions are looking to improve their defensive line depth. In order to do so, they announced the signing of defensive tackle Ben Stille. The corresponding move to add Stille to the roster has yet to be made, but Stille will join the team in training camp.
Detroit Lions Sign Defensive Tackle Ben Stille
Getty ImagesDefensive tackle Ben Stille.
Stille was a UDFA from Nebraska back in 2022. He initially caught on with the Miami Dolphins and was on their practice squad for Week 1 of his rookie season. He suited up for one game and was released the week after that.
However, he signed with the Cleveland Browns later that season and appeared in six games to close out his rookie season. He finished with five tackles across the two teams.
The Browns waived Stille right after the 2023 NFL draft, and he signed with the Arizona Cardinals shortly after that. Once again, he started the season on the practice squad, but he was called up to the active roster.
He suited up for five games and added his first career sack. He spent the offseason with the Cardinals, but was let go in training camp. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him off the Cardinals’ practice squad to start the 2024 season. However, they let him go about four weeks later. He did suit up for three games in Tampa Bay.
From there, he circled back to the Cardinals’ practice squad. The team signed him to an offseason deal, but cut him after the 2024 NFL draft.
In 2025, he signed with the Miami Dolphins, but did not make the roster in training camp. They did not bring him back to the practice squad, either. About midway through 2025, Stille signed with the Atlanta Falcons. However, he was released by the team after the 2025 NFL draft.
Now, he is getting his chance with the Detroit Lions.
Lions Add Depth to the Defensive Line
The Lions will keep eight to ten defensive linemen, so there is a chance for Stille to make the roster. However, the odds are stacked against him.
The Lions have Alim McNeil and Tyleik Williams starting. Between Levi Onwuzurike, Tyler Lacy, and Ahmed Hassanein, the team has three versatile players who fill a role the team needs. That gives them five players. With Aidan Hutchinson, D.J. Wonnum, and Derrick Moore as the three locked-in edge rushers, there are at least eight players making the room without Stille having a chance.
Beyond that, the Lions drafted Skyler Gil-Howard and Tyre West this year. Both should have a good chance to make the team. They also have Mekhi Wingo entering his third season with the Lions.
Anthony Lucas was an exciting UDFA, but he does not have much of a chance with how the room is stacked up. They also have Eric O’Neill, Myles Adams, Chris Smith, and Aidan Keanaaina to fill out the room.
One of them might be the corresponding roster move. Still, the room is too deep for Stille to be anything more than a training camp depth signing.
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