The Detroit Lions have officially re-signed defensive end Mitchell Agude, as announced on Monday. This move comes as a bit of a surprise, considering Agude was an exclusive rights free agent earlier in the year. Typically, when a player holds this status, the team has the choice to extend a tender offer. If accepted, the player is only eligible to sign a one-year deal at the league minimum salary or opt to sit out for the season. However, reports indicate that the Lions did not extend Agude this ERFA tender, which would have allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent.
Great effort by Lions DL 50 Mitchell Agude to hustle downfield and knock this ball out. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/Of6P5xDmeD
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 24, 2024
Despite that, Agude has returned to the team, though the specifics of his contract have not yet been disclosed.
Agude originally joined the Lions in 2023 as a rookie and spent most of that season on the team’s practice squad. After re-signing with Detroit in 2024, he remained primarily on the practice squad once again. However, due to injuries late in the season, he was elevated to the active roster for the final four regular-season games. During that stretch, he played 40 defensive snaps and 55 special teams snaps, recording three tackles and forcing a fumble.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 245 pounds, Agude is considered somewhat undersized for a traditional defensive end in Detroit’s system. However, he provides the team with additional depth at the SAM linebacker position. His preseason performance was particularly noteworthy, as he led the Lions with 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss and another forced fumble.
With his return, the Lions’ edge rusher group now consists of Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn, Derrick Barnes, and Agude.