One of the initial tasks of offseason activities for the Detroit Lions involves determining the future of the team’s restricted free agents (RFA). These players have three years of credited NFL experience and contracts that are ending, while the team retains a degree of control over the player.
In 2025, Detroit possesses three restricted free agents:
OL Kayode Awosika
RB Craig Reynolds
TE Shane Zylstra
Awosika – 11 games played, two starts (Week 4 at LG, Week 6 at RG), 147 total offensive snaps during 2024.
Reynolds – 17 games played, 31 rushes for 139 yards in 96 offensive plays; 285 special teams plays (3rd on team)
Zylstra – participated in 12 games, recorded 1 reception for 1 yard during 109 offensive snaps; 194 snaps on special teams
All three are expected to receive the initial round/right of first refusal tenders, enabling the Lions to match any proposals they receive from other teams. The Lions would receive no compensation if a player accepts an offer from another team and Detroit does not match it.
In 2024, Detroit took this action with TE Brock Wright, choosing to match the free agency proposal he received from the 49ers.
The precise amounts of the various RFA tender offers are not yet available; however, in 2024, the right-of-first-refusal tender was $2.985 million. This would require the Lions to pay any of the three RFAs they want to retain that salary (fully guaranteed) for the year 2025. This would mark a substantial salary increase for all three; Reynolds made $1.125 million in 2024, whereas Awosika and Zylstra received the veteran minimum of $985,000.
The comparatively high valuations from tender offers generally dissuade teams from assigning larger tags to players who aren’t essential to the team. Last year, making a second-round tender offer (which implies the Lions would receive a second-round pick if another team signed that RFA) would have required $4.89 million, fully guaranteed, for a one-year deal. The low-tender offer, which is approximately $3 million per player, may be too costly for the Lions to retain their No. 3 RB along with the reserves at TE and OL for the 2024 season.
The Lions are not required to submit a tender offer, and teams can also retract offers for RFAs. This would lead to a player becoming an unrestricted free agent.