With OTAs starting back up for the rest of the NFL this week, a former Philadelphia Eagles player has surprisingly found his next opportunity in hopes of playing in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, former Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham has signed with the Detroit Lions. The 30-year-old defender last played with the Denver Broncos in 2024.
Cunningham spent the 2023 season with the Eagles, appearing in 13 games (10 starts). He signed a one-year pact with Philadelphia in August 2023 after getting released by the Tennessee Titans in February of that year.
The veteran linebacker played well in his lone season with the Eagles, despite the defensive struggles under then-defensive coordinator Sean Desai and senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia.
Cunningham had 85 combined tackles, four pass deflections, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery. The veteran was also adequate in pass coverage, which the Eagles needed with Nakobe Dean banged up and the other LBs on the roster playing up to par.
Cunningham possessed a 75.9 completion percentage allowed on targets and a 93.9 pass rating allowed when targeted, while only giving up one touchdown. Despite playing well in what was a disappointing season for the Eagles, Philadelphia did not re-sign the veteran linebacker.
The former Eagles linebacker then took his talents to the Mile High City, signing with the Denver Broncos practice squad. Cunningham was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster four times last season, appearing in seven games.
The veteran linebacker saw most of his time on special teams (41 snaps) as he played sparingly on defense (15 snaps). After not playing much on defense, the ex-Eagle will try to show Detroit’s coaching staff that he warrants a spot on the 53-man roster over the next few months. However, it won’t be easy for Cunningham as the Lions have a lot of depth behind their starters.