By Sunday 
The offseason may have just begun, but the Detroit Lions are already laying bricks for the future. As the organization officially turns the page to 2026, Detroit announced the signing of nine players to Reserve/Future contracts—quiet moves that rarely make headlines but often shape what comes next.
What Reserve/Future Contracts Really Mean
Reserve/Future contracts allow teams to retain the rights to players for the upcoming league year. While these deals don’t officially kick in until the new NFL calendar opens in March, they give players a clear runway into offseason workouts, minicamps, and training camp. In short, this is how teams keep promising depth pieces in-house while evaluating long-term upside.
The Nine Players Detroit Is Bringing Back
Detroit’s latest batch includes a mix of linemen, skill-position players, and defensive prospects—exactly the kind of developmental blend teams like to carry into the spring.
OL Devin Cochran
WR Malik Cunningham
DE Ahmed Hassanein
TE Zach Horton
WR Jackson Meeks
OL Mason Miller
RB Jabari Small
DL Chris Smith
S Loren Strickland
Each of these players will now have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot once offseason programs begin.
Depth Today, Competition Tomorrow
None of these signings guarantee a place on the final 53-man roster, but that’s not the point. Reserve/Future deals are about creating competition and uncovering value. Whether it’s a lineman who develops faster than expected or a skill player who flashes in camp, these contracts often produce surprise contributors.
Turning the Page With Purpose
After an up-and-down season, Detroit’s front office is choosing preparation over pause. Moves like this won’t dominate highlight reels, but they matter—especially when injuries, cap decisions, and roster turnover start reshaping the depth chart.
For now, the Lions are doing exactly what strong organizations do in January: planning ahead, stacking options, and giving themselves chances to get better before the spotlight returns.