For the third time in two weeks, the Detroit Lions have kept a restricted free agent from testing the market.
The Lions signed special teams ace C.J. Moore to a one-year extension worth up to $2.4 million, NFL Network reported Sunday. The deal includes $800,000 guaranteed.
Moore appeared in all 17 games for the Lions last season and tied for third on the team with eight special teams tackles. He started one game at safety last season and has been a core special teams player since signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
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The free agent negotiating period opens at noon Monday, and players can begin signing with other teams at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Moore was set to be a restricted free agent, though the Lions were not planning on tendering him a contract.
Teams can use one of three non-guaranteed tenders on RFAs, which allows them to receive the corresponding compensation if that player signs with another team.
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A first-round tender carries a salary of about $5.56 million in 2022, according OverTheCap.com. A second-round tender comes with a salary of about $4 million. And a right-of-first-refusal tender costs about $2.43 million.
Previously, the Lions signed fullback Jason Cabinda and linebacker Josh Woods to contract extensions. Cabinda signed a two-year deal in mid-February, while Woods inked a one-year extension a week later.
The Lions, who have 12 unrestricted free agents, including safety Tracy Walker and defensive end Charles Harris, are expected to be in the mix for for a top free agent receiver next week.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.