According to a Monday evening report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Detroit Lions are on the verge of reuniting head coach Matt Patricia with one of his former players from the New England Patriots. Former Patriots and Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins is reportedly signing with the Lions with Detroit, immediately attempting to bolster its defensive core.

Patricia, now the head coach in Detroit and previously the defensive coordinator in New England, notably coached Collins during their time with the aforementioned Patriots.

The 30-year-old Collins has impressed throughout his NFL career despite moving between the Patriots and Browns. After beginning his NFL career as a member of the heralded Patriots, where he would spend the first three-plus seasons of his professional tenure, Collins was traded to the Browns en route to spending parts of three seasons in Cleveland. Returning for a second go-round with the Patriots in 2019-20, Collins strung together back-to-back stellar seasons in Cleveland and New England, respectively, while now being rewarded by the Lions for his efforts.

While Patricia obviously knows what Collins is capable of on the field, he will boost a lacking Lions defense both as a leader on the gridiron and in the locker room as a veteran leader. A talented tackler that has the ability to disrupt the opposition's offensive attack by sacking the quarterback at a high rate for a linebacker, Collins will no doubt make an immediate impact in Detroit.

Because the struggling Lions play in the NFC North division alongside the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings, playing defense will be key for Patricia and company in 2020.