Kyle Arrington is the latest example of how quickly an NFL career can change. In Arrington’s case, it has given the cornerback much to be thankful for — not just this week, but every week.

It was only a year ago, when New England made its final roster cuts, that Arrington was thrilled just to make a 53-man roster at the start of a season. It was a first for him. Now, 15 months later, he not only has earned a job, he is leading the NFL in interceptions and answering questions about whether he thinks he could make the Pro Bowl.

Considering that he comes from Hofstra, a school that no longer even has a football team, that he was not drafted, and that he was cut by two teams (Philadelphia and Tampa Bay) before coming to New England, it is a huge development for Arrington.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” he said. “I’ve put a lot of hard work into these past 18 months, but by no means am I satisfied with where I am, where I want to be, or think I should be. I continue to work each and every day and try to get better from here.”

In a way, playing the Eagles on Sunday marks a significant point in Arrington’s career. Philadelphia was the team that gave Arrington his first chance in the NFL, signing him as a free agent when he came out of Hofstra in 2008. Arrington made it to the final cut, then was signed for the practice squad, but that lasted only 10 days.

Tampa Bay picked him up, and he spent most of the 2008 on the Bucs’ practice squad. He got into one game early in the 2009 season, but he was cut a day later. He spent most of 2009 on New England’s practice squad. He made the 53-man roster early in 2010, became the starting right cornerback and has been a contributor since.

The Patriots thought enough of Arrington at the end of last season to sign him to a contract extension, a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $3.2 million.

He is earning every penny of it. The two interceptions he had against Kansas City on Monday night gave him a league-leading seven on the season. He seems a bit uncomfortable talking about being the league leader.

“I’ve been told. I’ve been made aware,” he said. “I just come into work every day and try to get better. I try to work on something every day, get better week in and week out.”

His work is helping him build a nice collection of NFL footballs. He likes to keep the ball after he makes an interception. After his first one against the Chiefs, he went to the first row of the stands behind the New England bench and gave the ball to his agent, Richard Kopelman. He also has given one to his fiancZe. Most, though, go to his No. 1 fan.

“For the most part, I give them to my mom. She’s my biggest fan,” he said. “She watches sports on ESPN. She tells me stuff I didn’t know. She’s a huge fanatic.”

Early voting for Pro Bowl berths was released a few days ago and Arrington was third among AFC cornerbacks with 148,889 votes. And that was before he had his big night on national television against Kansas City. He was asked if he is thinking about that.

“I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t,” he said. “It would be nice to go to Hawaii, but Indianapolis would be a whole lot nicer that time of year.”

That might be a first, someone saying he would rather go to Indianapolis than Honolulu in February. But there is a reason. Indianapolis is where the Super Bowl will be played.