In 2023, the Detroit Lions were vigilant during the season when a team tried to poach undrafted rookie and former Saginaw Valley State linebacker Trevor Nowaske off their practice squad. They added him to the 53-man roster and kept him there all year until they just couldn't anymore. They had to part ways ahead of playoffs.
The Cardinals, who may have been the team who tried to poach, stepped in and claimed him off the waiver wire. He went through training camp with them in 2024 and they cut him at the final cut down. The Lions rushed to claim him to get him back. Now they're making sure they don't lose him again.
The Lions tendered Nowaske to an exclusive free agent contract this week per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. For those who don't know, an exclusive rights free agent is a player who has two or fewer accrued seasons and is on an expired contract.
Nowaske got the opportunity to get some real playing time in 2024 due to injuries and he knocked it out of the park whenever he got on the field. On 348 snaps, he had 17 pressures and two sacks and an interception. His big moment was the game-sealing sack against the Vikings in Week 7.
Now we'll get to see what Nowaske's contributions will be with a fully healthy defense. You can expect Derrick Barnes to be back at the SAM again, but Nowaske could find himself right behind him there. He might also be someone the Lions try out on the edge a little bit. Similar to what they were doing with the now free agent Mitchell Agude.
It's always smart to bring back players that show you some things. Nowaske is someone that fits perfectly.
