Zach Cunningham spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos.
After falling short in their quest for a Super Bowl title last winter, the Detroit Lions are continuing to bolster their defense as the offseason progresses.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Detroit is signing linebacker Zach Cunningham—who spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos.
Cunningham, 30, was drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft and spent his first five seasons in Houston. He signed a four-year, $58 million extension with the club in 2020 before leading the NFL in both solo (106) and total (164) tackles that season. He was waived the following season after being benched twice by head coach Dave Culley for violating team rules.
After stints with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles, Cunningham signed with the Broncos practice squad last fall. He was promoted to the active roster in November, playing in seven games and totaling four tackles.
Cunningham joins a linebacker room of Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, and Jack Campbell among others in Detroit.
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Five Storylines to Watch at Lions OTAs
The Detroit Lions open organized team activities this week.
Detroit is facing an accelerated offseason schedule after being selected to play in the Hall of Fame game. As a result, coach Dan Campbell will be tasked with making the most of the limited time the team has together before training camp.The Lions also canceled their mandatory minicamp in an effort for the team to adjust to the new preseason schedule. Their trek toward a Lombardi Trophy will be aided by newcomers both young and old, and as a result, expectations are plenty high for the Lions.
Here are five storylines to watch when the Lions open OTAs later this week.
Hutchinson’s availability
One of the biggest elements of OTAs will be just how much Hutchinson does. Even though the practices will be non-contact, Hutchinson has been fully cleared and will take the field in front of the media for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6 last season.The lack of contact and team-oriented drills will limit how big of an impact Hutchinson will have, but the open practice will give the media an opportunity to see how the Michigan product is moving on the field.
Based on how the Lions have handled injuries in the past, it wouldn’t be surprising for Hutchinson to be limited throughout OTAs in anticipation of unleashing him in training camp.
In that case, he still could be available to showcase his progress during individual drills.
First look at free agents
The Lions will have new several new free agent signings in the mix, headlined by cornerback D.J. Reed. In signing the veteran, Detroit hopes to have shored up its secondary.
Reed is expected to be an instant contributor and potentially the team’s top cornerback. He’s one of multiple veteran newcomers, along with Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox. While Ya-Sin’s role is currently undefined, Maddox is expected to be a backup safety.
Elsewhere, defensive tackle Roy Lopez will offer valuable depth on the defensive interior, while linebacker Grant Stuard is a special teams ace who can also contribute defensively.
All of these newcomers could have big roles in Detroit ultimately achieving its loftty goals. OTAs offer the first glimpse at these players in their new system.
Offensive line position battles
The Lions return four of their five starters up front, so there will be at least one spot up for grabs. With right guard Kevin Zeitler off to Tennessee, offensive line coach Hank Fraley has a deep crop of young players who will compete for that starting spot.
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