Dec 19, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions fullback Jason Cabinda (45) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions have made their first notable player move of the offseason, signing fullback Jason Cabinda to a contract extension.
The Detroit Lions will make bigger moves this offseason, but there had to be a move that was first. According to the team, the Lions and fullback Jason Cabinda have agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2023. He was slated to be a restricted free agent, and additional terms were not disclosed.
Cabinda landed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2018, as a linebacker. He landed with the Lions in 2019, and made his first appearance as a fullback at the end of that season. Over 44 career games (nine starts), he has four carries for 23 yards, six catches for 24 yards and a touchdown along with 21 defensive tackles and 16 special teams tackles.
Cabinda played in 14 games for the Lions during the 2021 season, with three carries for 23 yards and four receptions for 16 yards and a touchdown. He also had seven special teams tackles, as a core part of those units (242 snaps).
Jason Cabinda looks to be part of intangible core for the Lions
Cabinda was the Lions’ 2021 nominee for Water Payton Man of the Year, for his outstanding community service off the field. He is a favorite of head coach Dan Campbell, who surely sees a lot of himself as a player in Cabinda.
Cabinda will probably never put big numbers on the stat sheet. But his impact as a “do anything and everything” type of guy as Campbell continues to instill a culture in Detroit is important, even if it’s mostly intangible. Going further, he’s also an example of being a good guy in the local community and the Lions have given him some contract security.