BREAKING: Detroit Lions Bolster Linebacker Depth with Veteran Zach Cunningham, Former NFL Tackles Leader Signs Deal with Team

The Detroit Lions have made a significant late-offseason move, adding proven veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham to the fold. As first reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet), the Lions have agreed to terms with Cunningham, a deal that brings veteran experience and tackling pedigree to a position group that needed added depth and stability.

Cunningham, 29, is best known for leading the NFL in tackles during the 2020 season, when he was a member of the Houston Texans. That year, he racked up a league-best 164 combined tackles, showcasing his high-level instincts, sideline-to-sideline range, and nose for the football. While his recent seasons have been marked by injuries and transitions between teams, Cunningham has proven time and time again that he can produce at a high level when healthy.

This signing sends a clear message: the Lions are not resting on their laurels as they look to build on a breakout 2024 season that saw them reach the NFC Championship Game. With championship aspirations and a core of young, rising defensive talent, Detroit is doubling down on leadership and experience — and in Cunningham, they are getting both.

Cunningham’s most recent stop was with the Denver Broncos in 2024, where he appeared in seven games. Though limited in availability, he made a noticeable impact on the field, providing support in the run game and experience in coverage schemes. Before that, he played a much larger role with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, finishing the season with 85 combined tackles, including 49 solo stops and 36 assists. He started 13 games for the Eagles and was one of their steadiest presences on a defense that experienced significant fluctuation late in the season.

Originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Vanderbilt, Cunningham quickly developed into one of the most productive linebackers in the league. His unique blend of size (6-foot-3, 238 pounds), agility, and football IQ made him an immediate contributor. Over his first four seasons in Houston, Cunningham started 49 games and totaled 503 combined tackles, four sacks, and five forced fumbles. He was at his peak in 2020, when he played all 16 games and was a rare bright spot for a Texans team that struggled in nearly every other phase of the game.

Cunningham’s tenure in Houston came to an abrupt end in 2021 due to disciplinary issues and disagreements with the coaching staff. He was waived late that season and quickly claimed by the Tennessee Titans. Injuries hampered his effectiveness in Nashville, limiting him to just 10 total games over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Eagles took a chance on him in 2023, and he bounced back admirably, again proving his reliability when given consistent playing time.

The Lions’ decision to bring Cunningham into the fold makes plenty of sense, especially considering the current state of their linebacker room. While the group showed improvement last season — thanks in part to breakout performances by players like Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell — Detroit has lacked dependable depth and veteran savvy at the position. Anzalone, a team captain and one of the defense’s emotional leaders, has battled injuries throughout his career, while Campbell, a 2023 first-round pick, is still developing his all-around game at the NFL level.

Cunningham provides the kind of insurance policy every contending team seeks. He’s a seasoned veteran with playoff experience and the kind of high-floor performance profile that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn can utilize in multiple packages. Whether as a spot starter, a key rotational player, or a mentor to younger linebackers, Cunningham figures to have a role from Day 1 in Detroit’s linebacker rotation.

Perhaps just as important as his on-field contributions will be Cunningham’s influence in the locker room. The Lions have built a strong culture under head coach Dan Campbell — one rooted in grit, toughness, and accountability. Cunningham, who has overcome multiple career setbacks, appears to fit that mold perfectly. His path from elite tackler to NFL journeyman to now a vital part of a contender’s defense could resonate strongly with younger players still finding their place in the league.

The Lions have emphasized building through the draft and developing homegrown talent under general manager Brad Holmes, but this offseason has shown they are also willing to make calculated veteran additions to patch holes and chase wins. In addition to Cunningham, Detroit has added several seasoned players in key areas, including the secondary and offensive line. The message is simple: the Lions believe they are in a Super Bowl window, and they are acting accordingly.

For Cunningham, this may represent one of his final opportunities to contribute to a contending team. Though still just 29 years old, he has absorbed significant wear and tear during his NFL career. Injuries have slowed him in recent years, but if he can maintain his health and regain even a portion of his peak form, Cunningham could prove to be a high-upside addition at a modest cost. The Lions, for their part, are betting that their strong medical staff and player development infrastructure can help Cunningham make the most of his time in Detroit.

His best performances have come when he’s surrounded by solid defensive line play — something Detroit now boasts in spades. With Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and Marcus Davenport anchoring the front, Cunningham should have the freedom to flow to the ball and make plays with fewer blockers in his face. Glenn’s attacking scheme also favors linebackers who can shoot gaps, chase down runners, and drop into short-zone coverage. Cunningham’s skill set fits that mold well.

Additionally, Cunningham’s familiarity with multiple defensive systems — 4-3 base, 3-4 alignments, and hybrid packages — should ease his transition into Detroit’s defense. He’s known for his football intelligence and film study habits, traits that will be vital in a Lions system that leans heavily on pre-snap reads and communication among linebackers and safeties.

In a division that features potent rushing attacks and mobile quarterbacks — including the likes of Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, and potentially J.J. McCarthy — the Lions will benefit greatly from having a linebacker with Cunningham’s ability to diagnose plays quickly and close on the ball carrier. His tackling technique, particularly in the open field, remains one of his strongest assets, and he has shown he can consistently wrap up and bring runners down without relying on help.

Cunningham’s addition won’t necessarily be the flashiest headline of the offseason, especially in a league dominated by quarterback moves and draft buzz, but for those paying attention to the details that separate contenders from pretenders, this move stands out. Depth wins in the NFL — especially on defense — and the Lions have just upgraded theirs in a big way.

As of now, financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but the move is not expected to significantly impact Detroit’s cap space. It’s likely a one-year deal with incentives tied to playing time and production — a common structure for veterans trying to re-establish their value.

Detroit’s front office, led by Holmes and Campbell, continues to show a shrewd understanding of roster construction. Signing Zach Cunningham is not just a bet on his talent; it’s a reinforcement of the Lions’ commitment to building a team with the depth, versatility, and veteran experience needed to navigate the grind of a 17-game regular season and beyond.

In a league where the margin between victory and defeat often comes down to which team has the most reliable Plan B, Cunningham might be the kind of signing that proves vital down the stretch. Whether he’s making 10 tackles in a pivotal December divisional game or simply providing quality reps and leadership during the week, the Lions now have another trusted voice and capable set of hands in their defensive huddle.

The road to the Super Bowl is never linear or easy, but teams that take advantage of every opportunity to improve — even in late May — are often the ones that last longest into January. With Zach Cunningham in Honolulu blue, the Lions are one step closer to becoming that kind of team.