Niko Lalos has just six career NFL games under his belt and hasn't suited up in a contest since January 2021.
The 28-year-old has undergone a significant change since then, converting from a defensive end to long snapper.
Lalos will look to return to the NFL during the 2026 season, as the New England Patriots announced on Monday that they'd signed the Dartmouth College product.
"Patriots sign LB K.J. Britt and LS Niko Lalos," the Patriots official account posted on X.
Patriots sign LB K.J. Britt and LS Niko Lalos. pic.twitter.com/tGrhHz8MqN
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 16, 2026
Lalos originally signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2020.
The Ohio native played 72 snaps apiece on defense and special teams with the Giants that season, appearing in six straight contests from Weeks 11 to 17, recording six tackles, one interception, one pass defended and one fumble recovery.
Lalos spent the entire 2021 campaign on New York's practice squad before being waived the following summer.
He soon signed with the New Orleans Saints and was on their practice squad for parts of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons and also appeared in the XFL.
The Philadelphia Eagles invited Lalos to rookie minicamp in 2025 (after his position switch).
Lalos joins Patriots' 2025 seventh-round draft pick Julian Ashby as the team's two long snappers entering the spring.
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