Malcolm Rodriguez re-signing with Lions, could be starter in 2026

Story by

Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press

Tue, Mar 10, 2026 ·

2 min read

After focusing on offense at the start of free agency, the Detroit Lions have turned their attention to the defensive side of the ball.

The Lions and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez agreed to a new one-year contract on Tuesday, March 10, according to The Schultz Report .

A sixth-round pick out of Oklahoma State in 2022, Rodriguez earned a surprise starting job as a rookie and has spent most of the past three years in a rotational role. He missed the first half of last season while recovering from a torn ACL, and returned to make 12 tackles with one start in the season's final three games.

Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez walks off the field due to an injury during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. He tore the ACL in his right knee.

Affectionately known as "Rodrigo," Rodriguez is the third linebacker the Lions have under contract for 2026 and is penciled into a starting role with Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes .

Alex Anzalone , a team captain and starter the past five seasons, agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the start of free agency Monday, leaving the Lions with a void in their linebacker room.

The Lions invested heavily in Barnes before free agency last spring and hope to re-sign Campbell to a long-term deal this offseason. They have four other linebackers who will become unrestricted free agents if they don't re-sign with the team before the start of the new league at 4 p.m. Wednesday: Grant Stuard , Zach Cunningham , Ezekiel Turner and Trevor Nowaske .

The Lions made three additions on offense in the first 24 hours of free agency, agreeing to deals with center Cade Mays and offensive tackle Larry Borom and running back Isiah Pacheco .

Along with Anzalone, they've lost defensive tackle Roy Lopez , cornerback Amik Robertson , receiver Kalif Raymond and backup quarterback Kyle Allen to other teams.

This is a developing story.

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Bluesky , X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions re-signing LB Malcolm Rodriguez to 1-year deal