By Moses Joshua 
Strategic moves secure depth as Lions prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
As the Detroit Lions reflect on their impressive yet bittersweet 2024 season, they’ve already begun preparing for the future. On Monday, the Lions signed 11 players to reserve/futures contracts, a routine offseason practice that allows teams to lock in developmental talent for the following season. These deals, targeting players who finished the season on the practice squad, underscore the Lions’ commitment to building a solid foundation for 2025.
Who Are the New Signings?
The Lions announced the following players have signed futures contracts:
LB Abraham Beaplan
EDGE Isaac Ukwu
C Kinsley Eguakun
QB Jake Fromm
LB DaRon Gilbert
S Erick Hallett
OT Jamarco Jones
WR Tom Kennedy
DL Chris Smith
S Loren Strickland
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
These players were all part of Detroit’s practice squad at the end of the season, showcasing their potential to contribute in 2025. While some names, like wide receiver Tom Kennedy and quarterback Jake Fromm, are more familiar to Lions fans, others represent intriguing prospects with untapped potential.
What Are Reserve/Futures Contracts?
A reserve/futures contract is an essential tool for teams aiming to build depth during the offseason. These contracts are unique in that they are only available to players not currently on an active roster, often referred to as “street free agents.”
As Erik Schlitt from Pride of Detroit explains:
“A futures contract is only eligible to street free agents and is a way to delay a player’s cap hit until the 2025 NFL new year begins… these contracts won’t impact the 2024 salary cap or other bookkeeping like rollover cap amounts.”
For the Lions, this means they can secure talent now without it affecting their current salary cap, giving them more flexibility in free agency and other roster-building activities.
Key Takeaways and Notable Omissions
Interestingly, five players from the Lions’ practice squad were not offered futures contracts, including WR/KR Maurice Alexander, RB Jermar Jefferson, and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones. While this doesn’t rule out their return to Detroit, these players are free to sign with other teams in the meantime.
Additionally, the Lions made another notable roster move by signing safety Morice Norris to their active roster. Norris, an undrafted free agent in 2024, battled injuries earlier in the season but impressed in limited action toward the end of the year. Since he ended the season on the active roster, he wasn’t eligible for a futures deal but secured his spot with the Lions moving forward.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As the Lions prepare for another promising season, these futures signings provide a glimpse into the team’s strategy. By locking in developmental players early, Detroit ensures they’ll have the depth and flexibility necessary to compete at the highest level.
With head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes leading the charge, Lions fans can be confident that these moves are just the beginning of a productive offseason aimed at building on the success of 2024.