The Detroit Lions addressed a number of issues in NFL free agency this summer. However, there have been no additions to the roster at linebacker. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report said that the organization should change this by adding veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham.
On April 7, Holder identified Cunningham as the last remaining free agent who could aid the Lions.
“While Alex Anzalone had a good season in 2023, the Lions could use another option to line up alongside Anzalone,” Holder said in a statement. “Derrick Barnes’ play was up and down for most of last year, and Jack Campbell had a poor rookie season.
“Adding Cunningham would give them another veteran option to compete for a starting spot during training camp, but Pro Football Focus only expects him to sign a one-year, $2.75 million contract.” So it’s worth trying to bring him in and offer some depth to the position group.”
Cunningham isn’t the tackling machine he once was, but he remains a valuable player. In 13 games with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, he recorded 85 combined tackles, including two for loss and four pass defenses.
Following his rookie contract, Cunningham signed a four-year, $58 million deal with the Houston Texans. He spent portions of five seasons with the Texans. Cunningham’s seven-year NFL career also included stints with the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles.
How LB Zach Cunningham Can Fit With The Lions
Cunningham started his career as a second-round choice in the 2017 NFL Draft. In his final season at Vanderbilt, he made 125 total tackles. Then, in the NFL, Cunningham made an impression as a tackler.
Cunningham recorded 90 total tackles as a rookie, five of which were for loss. He went on to record more than 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons. Cunningham reached a league-high 164 combined tackles in 2020, including 106 solos.
The following season, Cunningham continued to make numerous tackles on the field. However, he missed two games due to injury and was dismissed by the Texans during the season for breaching team rules twice.
The Titans claimed Cunningham on waivers. He finished the 2021 season with 93 total tackles. Then, after only six games in 2022, Cunningham returned with the Eagles last season.
Cunningham may provide depth at inside linebacker for the Detroit Lions, who have not signed any free agents this offseason. Alex Anzalone has recorded more over 100 total tackles in each of the last two seasons. However, the Lions haven’t had another linebacker with 100 total tackles since Jamie Collins in 2020
Expectations for Jack Campbell. Heading into 2024
The Lions’ interest in a veteran linebacker like Cunningham will be heavily influenced by their perception of Jack Campbell in 2024.
Campbell, a first-round choice previous season, had little influence on the stat sheet in 2023. But he was a valuable contributor, earning 12 starts and totaling 95 tackles.
His playing time gradually increased as the season progressed. Campbell played 89% of the team’s defensive snaps in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Campbell’s progress has both positive and negative implications. Christian Booher of SI.com’s All Lions wrote that Campbell had “an up and down season” as a rookie.
“The Iowa product will need to be much improved in the area of coverage,” Booher said in a statement. “While it wasn’t a particularly bad season for the rookie, and he did finish strong, early on was a struggle for the defender.”
Anzalone, Campbell, and Derrick Barnes finished the season as Detroit’s starting linebackers. The Lions also have Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin as linebacker depth.
As a result, the Lions do not have enough roster room to add another veteran linebacker. However, if the Lions lose faith in Campbell’s growth or the other depth linebackers on the roster, Cunningham could be an appealing option for Detroit.
