Oct 24, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Moore (38) escapes the tackle by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek (18) and runs for a first down in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions are bringing back another one of their own free agents, as they’ve agreed to a one-year deal with safety C.J. Moore.
Before the NFL league year officially starts this week, with the free agency tampering period starting Monday, the Detroit Lions have re-signed another of their own free agents. As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Lions have agreed to terms with safety C.J. Moore on a one-year deal worth “up to” $2.4 million with $800,000 guaranteed.
Moore, who was a restricted free agent, joins Jason Cabinda and Josh Woods as as key pieces to a good special teams unit for the Lions last season who’ve been re-signed.
Moore has played 855 total snaps on special teams units over the last three seasons, and over 300 special teams snaps in a season twice. He made one start at safety last season, the Week 15 upset win over the Arizona Cardinals as he played all 75 defensive snaps. He finished second on the team in 2021 with eight tackles on punt and kickoff coverage, along with a 28-yard run on a fake punt.
C.J. Moore clearly seen as a valuable player by the Lions
The Lions signed Moore as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in 2019. He has played in 15 games across his three seasons, and seems to have become something of a veteran presence as a fairly long-tenured player on a roster that has gotten younger over his time in Detroit.
As noted by Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, with the aforementioned re-signings (including Moore) and contract tenders given to exclusive rights free agents Godwin Igwebuike, Anthony Pittman and Bobby Price, the Lions will bring back their top-six players in terms of special teams snap counts from 2021 for 2022.