Detroit Lions sign C Russell Bodine, 2 other to futures contracts

The Detroit Lions made three more futures signings, and one of them could be largely significant.

After signing 11 players on Monday—nine of whom finished the season on the Lions’ practice squad—the Lions signed former Bills and Bengals center Russell Bodine to a futures deal.

Bodine is a significant addition, as the 2016 fourth-round pick started every single game in his first four years with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he served as backup for the Bills, but ended up starting 10 games due to injury. This year, he was traded to the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick, but would only last a week on their roster.

Though the Lions are set at center with first-round pick Frank Ragnow, there are some serious questions about the future at guard. Graham Glasgow appears headed towards free agency while two depth pieces—Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins—are also on expiring contracts.

Bodine has some experience at guard, but mostly during his time at North Carolina in college.

In addition to Bodine, the Lions have also signed two tight ends to future contracts: Paul Butler and Matt Sokol. Neither has made an appearance in an NFL game. Sokol is a former Michigan State Spartan who went undrafted in 2019 and spent the last month on the Jaguars practice squad. Butler spent his rookie season on the Raiders’ practice squad, but was placed—and eventually cut—from injured reserve in 2019.