Allen Park >> Detroit Lions coaches haven’t had too much on-field time with new linebacker Grant Stuard, who was signed to a one-year deal in March.

But his culture fit has been evident.

“He seems like a great guy. We just started working together a little bit here and there in the offseason,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. “The way he practices and does every drill, you can see, ‘OK, it’s the same way he plays the game,’ which is kind of what the great ones do.”

The Lions got an up-close look at Stuard last season, when they traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium for a game against the Indianapolis Colts, with whom Stuard had spent the last three years after beginning his career as a seventh-round pick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.

Stuard’s tape, coaches say, shows a player not lacking in effort. He only knows one speed, which makes him a perfect candidate to make an impact on special teams.

The Lions in March released Jalen Reeves-Maybin, their previous ace and captain on special teams. Stuard may be a candidate to fill that void. In addition to his work as a linebacker — Stuard recorded 40 tackles (two for loss) on a career-high 229 defensive snaps last season — the former Houston standout has 24 career tackles on special teams, including 11 as a rookie.

“We’re fired up about Grant,” Fipp said. “When we played against him, all the guys in the room were really like, ‘This guy plays with his hair on fire. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s a tough out every single play.’ When he’s in coverage, punt or kickoff, he’s making a tackle or showing up around the ball, and he’s going to demand a lot of resources from the opponent. I would say that’s the biggest thing.”

Stuard, though he’s not in line to become a starter, will have an opportunity to carve out a defensive role in 2025, playing behind Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell. That’s especially true given the recovery timeline for Malcolm Rodriguez, who tore his ACL against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. The conservative estimate for Rodriguez, Detroit’s top reserve linebacker, is for him to return in November.

“I remember when I watched him as a free agent. I’m like, ‘This guy right here, man.’ You turn on the tape, he’s all over the field,” new linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton said. “Tough, competitive, fast, wants to hit. He’s going to bring competition to the room.”

The Lions will get a better look at what Stuard is capable of when the pads come in during training camp — so far, they’ve been limited to offseason team activities (OTAs) — but there’s been no questions, Hamilton said, about whether he aligns with what head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard are looking for.

“I would say he fits us,” Hamilton added. “He is what we’re looking for, from his personality to the style he plays.”