Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Spikes pleads for Lions LB Jamie Collins to be traded back to Patriots

Former Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes wants to see Jamie Collins traded back to New England. 

The 34-year-old's comments come after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Detroit Lions are exploring trade options involving Collins. 

Collins has played 100 defensive snaps this season but has faced criticism for his play after the Lions allowed 76 points in two weeks. He has just 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. 

"Look, Jamie had some mistakes," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said after Monday's 35-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to Kyle Meinke of mlive.com. "It wasn't certainly his best performance."

Campbell added that Detroit wants to give fourth-round pick Derrick Barnes more time at linebacker, which leaves Collins as the odd man out. 

Collins is in his second season with the Lions after spending the 2019 campaign with the Patriots, which was his second stint with the franchise. The 31-year-old also played in New England from 2013-16. 

It's no surprise Spikes is voicing his support for Collins to return to the Patriots. The two played together in 2013, and some of Collins' best seasons came while he was in New England. 

It's unclear if Bill Belichick would be interested in adding Collins this season. The Patriots already have Matt Judon, Dont'a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche, Ronnie Perkins and Brandon King on the roster. However, a team can never have too much depth, and if Collins doesn't cost an arm and a leg (he likely won't), he might be a solid addition to New England's defense. 

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