Detroit Lions sign trio of ERFAs

6 days ago 2

A day after its season ended with a 19-16 win at the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions announced their first signings in preparation for the 2026 NFL season.

The Lions re-signed offensive lineman Michael Niese, running back Jacob Saylors and cornerback Nick Whiteside. All three were ERFAs (exclusive rights free agents). An ERFA is any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If the original team offers the player a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on their credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.

Niese played in eight games in 2025 for the Lions, including a pair against the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers where he combined for 12 snaps at center in those two games. Much of Niese's work came on special teams, where he accrued 45 snaps in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.

Saylors appeared in 16 games for the Lions, operating as Detroit's primary kickoff return man throughout the season. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back returned 33 kickoffs for 897 yards with a long of 39 yards. Saylors also rushed twice for 11 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.

Whiteside played in nine games, totaling five tackles and three passes defended in the Lions' Week 7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Niese also appeared in all 17 games for the Lions in 2024 and joined Detroit in 2023 after spending time with the Denver Broncos (2022), Chicago Bears (2022-23) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023).

Saylors joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent after signing with the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2023 NFL draft. Saylors played two seasons with the St. Louis Blackhawks (2024-25) of the UFL before returning to the franchise in 2025.

Whiteside joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent after spending one season with the Washington Commanders (2023-24). Like Saylors, Whiteside played one season with the St. Louis Blackhawks (2025) of the UFL.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions sign trio of ERFAs

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