So the big news dropped yesterday - the Detroit Lions signed linebacker Zach Cunningham to a deal. Honestly? I was kinda surprised when I first heard it. You remember Cunningham, right? The tackling machine from Houston and Tennessee? Yeah, that guy.
Funny story - I was rewatching Lions vs Titans from 2022 when this news broke. Cunningham had 8 tackles that game and completely shut down our run game near midfield. Made me think... this could be exactly what we need.
Who Is Zach Cunningham Anyway?
Look, Cunningham ain't some fresh-faced rookie. The guy's been around:
- Played college ball at Vanderbilt (SEC fans know what that means)
- Drafted in 2017 second round by Texans
- 2020: Led NFL in combined tackles (164)
- Cut by Texans mid-2021 after discipline issues
- Finished last season with Eagles
Here's the weird thing - Philly didn't bring him back. Makes you wonder why, right? I asked my buddy who covers the Eagles - he said Cunningham looked "a step slow" in coverage late last season. Not great news for a linebacker in today's pass-heavy league.
Zach Cunningham during his Titans tenure (Photo: Getty)
Career Statistics Breakdown
| Season | Team | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | PD | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Texans | 164 | 4 | 3.0 | 4 | 16 |
| 2021 | Texans/Titans | 92 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 | Titans | 83 | 6 | 2.0 | 3 | 13 |
| 2023 | Eagles | 85 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
Numbers don't lie - when healthy, this guy eats runners for breakfast. But check those games played - he hasn't had a full season since 2020. That's concerning for a 30-year-old linebacker.
Breaking Down the Lions Signing Zach Cunningham
Contract specifics: One-year deal worth $3.5 million max value ($1.25M guaranteed). That's bargain-bin shopping for a former tackle leader. Smart move by Holmes - low risk, potential high reward.
Why'd Detroit make this move? Simple: depth and run defense. After watching Jack Campbell get steamrolled by power backs last season? Yeah, we needed a thumper.
Let's be real - Alex Anzalone's good but gets banged up. Derrick Barnes is inconsistent. Malcolm Rodriguez? Great story but undersized. Cunningham immediately becomes our best run-stopping linebacker.
How He Fits in Detroit's Scheme
Glenn loves versatile backers. Cunningham checks boxes:
- Run fits: Elite at slicing through gaps
- Blitzing: 11 career sacks - not awful
- Zone coverage: His weakest area (allowed 85% comp rate last year)
I see him playing early downs only. Third and long? Probably Jalen Reeves-Maybin's job. Makes sense to protect his weaknesses.
What This Lions Move Means for the Defense
Think about last year's playoff loss to SF. Christian McCaffrey ran wild - 90 yards and 2 TDs. Our LBs got exposed. Adding Cunningham immediately helps against power teams like:
| Team | Power Run Rank | Week | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | #1 | Week 17 | Critical run support |
| Bears | #5 | Weeks 11 & 14 | Contain D'Andre Swift |
| Packers | #12 | Weeks 4 & 18 | Stop Josh Jacobs |
Suddenly that run defense looks tougher. But here's my concern - modern NFL isn't just about stopping the run. Can he cover Travis Kelce? George Kittle? I'm skeptical.
Potential Concerns with Zach Cunningham
Let's not sugarcoat it:
- Injury history: Missed 15 games past 3 seasons
- Coverage limitations: Allowed 116.7 passer rating when targeted in 2023
- Off-field questions: Texans cut him after repeated tardiness
Remember when we signed Mike Daniels? Big name, past his prime. Worried this could feel similar. Hope I'm wrong.
Expert Reactions and Fan Opinions
"The Cunningham signing is classic Brad Holmes - finding value where others see risk. If he stays healthy, this could be Detroit's sneakiest good move of the offseason."
- Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Scrolled through Lions Twitter last night. Reactions were mixed:
- "FINALLY! A real linebacker who can tackle!" (@HonoluluBlue4Life)
- "Another injury-prone veteran? Why not draft someone?" (@MotorCityMatt)
- "Better than paying $15M for Patrick Queen" (@SOLDetroiter)
Personally? I'd grade this a B-. Not flashy, but fills a need. Would've preferred younger talent though.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Lions sign Zach Cunningham?
Simple - run defense. After ranking 23rd against the run last year, Detroit needed a proven run-stuffer. Cunningham led the NFL in tackles just 4 years ago.
What number will Cunningham wear for Detroit?
He wore #41 in Philly and #41/#41 in Tennessee. With that number currently free in Detroit, expect him to keep it.
Will Zach Cunningham start for the Lions?
Likely in base packages. His role will be specialized - probably 30-40 snaps per game focused on early-down run defense.
How might the Lions signing Zach Cunningham affect the draft?
Huge impact. This means Detroit probably won't draft a LB early. Focus shifts to CB/Edge. Smart move before draft.
Bottom Line on Detroit's New Linebacker
Look, I'm not jumping through tables over this Lions sign linebacker Zach Cunningham move. But it's solid. Smart even.
For $1.25M guaranteed? Low-risk gamble on a guy who could fix our biggest defensive weakness. Remember how Anzalone struggled against physical backs? Cunningham lives for that.
Will he transform the defense? Probably not. But if he stays healthy (big if), this Lions sign linebacker Zach Cunningham deal could be one of those under-the-radar moves that pays off come January.
Final thought? Better than overpaying for a flashy name. Typical Holmes move - pragmatic and calculated. Now let's see if the old dog's still got bite.