As Season ends, Lions start Signing Existing Players for Next Year

With the 2025-2026 season officially over for the Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes and the front office started the process of filling out the off-season 90-man roster yesterday with a flurry of moves. In addition to signing all three Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs), the Lions signed nine of their 16 practice squad players to reserve/futures contracts, essentially guaranteeing them a spot on the initial 90-man offseason roster.

The Lions had only three ERFAs, and yesterday the Lions offered, and all three of the players have accepted contracts for 2026-2027.

• RB Jacob Saylors

  • 2023 UDFA – Bengals

  • Waived final cuts, signed to PS and then to active roster on 09/06/25

  • Played in 16 games, 2 rushes for 11 yards, was one of primary KRs

• IOL Michael Niese

  • 2022 UDFA - Broncos

  • Waived final cuts, signed to PS and then to active roster on 11/15/25

  • Played in 8 games (1 healthy scratch)

• CB Nick Whiteside

  • 2023 UDFA – Commanders

  • Waived final cuts, signed to PS and then active roster twice in season, last on 12/04/25

  • Played in 9 games (2 healthy scratches), 2 tackles and three passes defensed

    

The nine players signed to reserve/futures contracts:

• OL Devin Cochran – Veteran active for Nine of less Games

  • 2 Elevations

  • 2022 UDFA - Bengals

• WR Malik Cunningham – Less than two accrued seasons

  • 1 Elevation

  • 2023 UDFA - Patriots

• DE Ahmed Hassanein – Rookie

  • 0 Elevations

  • Lions 2025 6th Round Pick

  • International Pathway player

• TE Zach Horton – Rookie

  • 2 Elevations

  • 2025 UDFA - Lions

• WR Jackson Meeks – Rookie

  • 2 elevations

  • 2025 UDFA - Lions

• OL Mason Miller – Rookie

  • 0 Elevations

  • 2025 UDFA - Lions

• RB Jabari Small – Rookie

  • 0 Elevations

  • 2024 UDFA - Titans

• DL Chris Smith – Less than two accrued seasons

  • 0 Elevations

  • 2023 UDFA - Lions

• S Loren Strickland – Rookie

  • 1 Elevation

  • 2024 UDFA - Lions

The remainder of the practice squad players (one rookie and 6 veterans) were not signed or offered reserve/futures contracts, so they are essentially free agents effective immediately.

• CB Keenan Garber (Rookie)

• DL Pat O'Connor (Veteran)

• S Damontae Kazee (Veteran)

• TE Giovanni Ricci (Veteran)

• OL Chris Hubbard (Veteran)

• DL Myles Adams (Veteran)

• QB CJ Bethard (Veteran)