Detroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone reflects on 2025 season
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone said the NFL is “tricky,” saying that the league provides urgency for teams trying to win.
The Detroit Lions got an early jump on their offseason roster building Monday, Jan. 5, re-signing three exclusive rights free agents and keeping nine players on future deals.
The Lions re-signed running back Jacob Saylors, cornerback Nick Whiteside and offensive lineman Michael Niese a day after their season ended with a 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears.
Saylors played primarily on special teams this season and was the Lions’ top kick returner, Whiteside appeared in nine games and had three pass breakups, and Niese appeared in eight games as a backup.
All nine of the players the Lions signed to future contracts finished the season on their practice squad: Defensive end Ahmed Hassanein (who was a draft pick last year), wide receivers Jackson Meeks and Malik Cunningham, offensive linemen Devin Cochran and Mason Miller, running back Jabari Small, tight end Zach Horton, defensive tackle Chris Smith and safety Loren Strickland.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.