The Detroit Lions are reportedly re-signing linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. It’s a one-year deal for Rodriguez, but specific terms weren’t immediately available.
Rodriguez was the Lions’ sixth-round pick in 2022. He quickly won Lions fans’ hearts after being featured heavily on the HBO documentary series “Hard Knocks,” beating the odds to not only make the Lions’ 53-man roster but also start 15 games as a rookie. As the Lions roster improved in subsequent years, Rodriguez saw his role on defense diminish, but he maintained an important role on special teams that could utilize his high motor, strong tackling, and good athleticism. Throughout, he remained capable depth on the team behind Detroit’s starters.
That said, Rodriguez’s last few years have been derailed by an ACL injury that cost him the back half of the 2024 season and the front half of the 2025 season. Upon his late return in 2025, Rodriguez struggled a bit, but hopefully being over a year removed from the injury can help the linebacker return to form.
With Alex Anzalone headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency, Rodriguez does have a chance to jump up the depth chart and grab a starting role in the Lions’ defense, but Detroit is far from done adding to the room. In fact, Rodriguez, Jack Campbell, and Derrick Barnes are the only linebackers currently signed for the 2026 season.
Catch all of the latest Lions free agency news and rumors here. You can also see the status of Detroit’s entire free agency class with our 2026 offseason tracker.
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