The Detroit Lions are in offseason mode, so let's take a look at some important offseason dates:
January 2
Beginning January 2, NFL clubs were permitted to begin signing free-agent players for 2017, including practice squad players with expiring contracts and street free agents. Clubs also could begin renegotiating or extending contracts of their 2014 draft class, and the period for clubs to exercise the fifth-year option for first-round selections from the 2014 draft (Jan. 2-May 2) begins.
Players signed to reserve/futures deals with Lions:
WR Jared Abbrederis (Wisconsin)
TE Kennard Backman (Alabama-Birmingham)
RB Mike James (Miami (Fla.