Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Michael Kadlick

Lions Sign Former NFL Tackles Leader to Bolster Defense

Cunningham led the NFL in tackles in 2020. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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.


More NFL on Sports Illustrated


This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lions Sign Former NFL Tackles Leader to Bolster Defense.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.