The Detroit Lions have made a concerted effort to re-sign a lot of their free agents from last year’s team, specifically on defense as they try to retain depth heading into the 2025 season.
Through the first full week of NFL free agency, the Lions have re-signed nine players, while signing five free agents. Detroit hopes having a solid amount of depth will help them if they run into a similar situation they did last season.
On Monday, the Lions added to their re-signing list, bringing back linebacker Mitchell Agude to kick off the second week of free agency. The terms of the deal were not released.
#Lions have re-signed LB Mitchell Agude pic.twitter.com/8OULCNsm2c
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 17, 2025
The Lions did not tender the 26-year-old exclusive rights free agent, making him an unrestricted free agent. However, Detroit ultimately re-signed Agude as they look to continue developing him heading into his third season with the club.
The former University of Miami defender appeared in four games last season, where he posted three combined tackles and a forced fumble.
The Lions signed the undrafted free-agent rookie ahead of the 2023 season. Agude originally signed with the Miami Dolphins following the 2023 NFL Draft but did not make their 53-man roster or practice squad.
Detroit signed the 6-foot-4 linebacker to the practice squad on Sept. 20, 2023, and gave him a futures/reserve deal at the end of the 2023 campaign. Last year, the Lions waived Agude ahead of the 53-man roster deadline but re-signed him to the practice squad.
From there, the Lions elevated him once from the practice squad to the active roster on Dec. 5 and a couple of weeks later, signed Agude to the active roster on Dec. 21. The Lions still have several players they could bring back in free agency. But it remains to be seen whether they will ultimately do that.