Lions Cut Ties with $2 Million Addition Before He Plays a Snap in Detroit

Detroit, MI – July 12, 2025

The Lions made a tough call, cutting their $2 million linebacker signing, a former Broncos standout, before he played a snap, shaking up the roster, sources told ESPN.

Signed in March, Zach Cunningham aimed to bolster Detroit’s linebacker corps. But a crowded room and lackluster camp performance led to his swift departure.

Cunningham, a 2017 second-round pick, joined on a one-year, $2 million deal. His 708 career tackles couldn’t outshine competitors in Detroit’s stacked lineup.

Cunningham battled Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez for LB3. Rodriguez’s versatility and Barnes’s OTA edge sealed Cunningham’s fate.

The Lions likely keep three linebackers, with Campbell locked in. Barnes’s growth and Rodriguez’s special teams prowess outpaced Cunningham’s minimal minicamp impact, per NFL.com.

Fan reactions on social media vary. @LionsPride tweeted, “Tough cut, but depth’s insane!” Others question if Cunningham deserved more time to prove his worth.

GM Brad Holmes’ move frees cap space for Detroit’s Super Bowl LX chase. The decision reflects a focus on youth and Dan Campbell’s gritty system.

As training camp intensifies, Lions Pride watches. Will this cut spark a new signing? Detroit’s title hopes hinge on Holmes’s bold roster bets.