Unrestricted free agents are players on expiring contracts who have at least four accrued seasons of NFL experience.
While they do not currently hold a contract with the Lions, Detroit can negotiate a potential new deal at any time. If they have not reached an agreement with the Lions by March 11, 2024—when the free agent tampering period begins—these players below can begin negotiations with other NFL franchises.
The one-year tenders fall into three categories—first-round, second-round, and original-round tenders—and their contractual value varies depending on which tender is applied and when the player was or was not drafted.
If these players are offered a tender by the Lions, the player can accept the one-year deal or they can negotiate a contract with another team during the free agency period.
Suppose an agreement with another organization is reached. In that case, the Lions have the option to match the offer or allow the player to sign elsewhere and receive the appropriate compensation for the tender.
Exclusive rights free agents are players on expiring contracts but they have less than three years of accrued experience in the NFL.
Like with RFAs, the Lions can offer these players a qualifying tender, but unlike RFAs, there is only one tender option and the player is not allowed to negotiate with another team unless the Lions opt to release them from that restriction.
That means, if the Lions offer an ERFA a one-year tender, that player can either accept the offer and play for the Lions or sit out the season. If the Lions do not offer the player a tender, that player becomes a UFA and can negotiate a contract with other teams during the March free agency period.
While the Lions have already signed 12 players to futures contracts, they still have 39 players who finished the season on the roster—on either the 53-man roster, practice squad, or injured reservethat are not currently under contract with the organization.
Let’s take a look at the four different groups those 39 players can fall into, as well as which players land in those groups.
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