Detroit Lions tender ERFA offers to Jack Fox, Jason Cabinda, Matt Nelson

The Detroit Lions have tendered offers to all three of their exclusive rights free agents, fullback Jason Cabinda, offensive tackle Matt Nelson and punter Jack Fox.

Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three accrued seasons whose contracts have expired. By tendering an offer to these three players, the Lions have essentially assured that they will all be back for 2021. These players now have two options: sign the one-year tender worth the league minimum or sit out the entire season. They cannot negotiate with any other team.

That’s obviously good news for the Lions, as all three players may play a role next year. Fox is coming off a Pro Bowl season in his first year as the team’s punter. Cabinda logged 130 snaps as the team’s starting fullback last year after moving from the linebacker position. Nelson, too, switched from defense to offense and started one game at right tackle in 2020. Though he’s not expected to start this year, he’s a young, cheap depth option.

Now the Lions will need to start making decisions on their 18 unrestricted free agents and one restricted free agent (Mike Ford).