Jason Cabinda is back for another season with the Detroit Lions, signing a two-year deal to remain as the team’s starting fullback. But the Lions internally refer to Cabinda, who entered the NFL as a linebacker in 2018, by the more lofty moniker of “Superback”. It’s a role he has embraced and progressed nicely into being a really useful weapon in Detroit in the two years since he made the switch from defense to offense.
In a very engaging interview with Anthony Bellino on Tuesday’s X’s and Bros syndicated radio show, Cabinda offered up an explanation and job description of his role as the so-called Superback in the offense.
“It’s funny, people ask me all the time when I say I play football and they ask what position I play,” Cabinda said with a laugh. “Sometimes I don’t even know what to tell them because I’m really all over the field. Being in motion, going out for passes, lining up at tight end and blocking. Running routes, lining up wide. They tried to do a lot with me.”
He compared it to the way the San Francisco 49ers use their fullbacks and tight ends.
“You can call me the Swiss Army knife when it comes to being a Superback because I try to do it all,” Cabinda summarized.
Cabinda acknowledged that “it wasn’t an easy transition” and that he began the 2020 offseason still working as a linebacker. He felt a lot more comfortable in 2021 in the offensive role.