The Detroit Lions are reportedly signing veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham to their roster.
Prior to the start of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at the end of the week, the Detroit Lions have added another veteran player to their linebacker room. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Lions are signing Zach Cunningham.
A former second-round pick in 2017, Cunningham has had stints with the Houston Texans (2017-21), Tennessee Titans (2021-22), Philadelphia Eagles (2023), and most recently the Denver Broncos (2024). Over the entire course of his career, Cunningham has made 102 game appearances with 86 starts. He was mostly a starter for the Eagles two years ago, tallying 85 tackles, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery in Philly. However, last year, he spent much of the season on the Broncos’ practice squad before signing to the team’s active roster for the final two months of the season. In the final seven games of the season, he played just 15 defensive snaps and 41 on special teams.
In Detroit, he’ll enter an extremely crowded linebacker room that features Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Grant Stuart, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, and Trevor Nowaske, among others. However, the Lions may need some extra bodies during their offseason program. Rodriguez is still rehabbing from his torn ACL suffered last year, and it’s quite possible Anzalone skips out OTAs, as he’s regularly done in the past.
In a corresponding move , the Lions waived third-year linebacker Abraham Beauplan to make room for Cunningham on the 90-man roster.
The Lions begin OTAs on Friday with a string of practices that run through the entire weekend. Their second and final set of OTAs are from June 3-5. Earlier this offseason, Detroit canceled mandatory minicamp following being chosen for the preseason Hall of Fame game.