The Detroit Lions report that they have signed offensive lineman for a Reserve/Future contract.
The Detroit Lions report that they have signed offensive lineman Netane Muti to a Reserve/Future contract. The 24-year-old Muti was first chosen in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. In his four years in the league, Muti has participated in 22 games, four of which he has started. His most playing time was in 15 games (3 starts) for the Broncos in 2021.
What Is a Reserve/Futures Contract:
As the name implies, an NFL futures contract is a deal that commits an NFL player to a team for future seasons. Since the deal technically begins at the start of the following league year, it is referred to as a “futures contract.”
This distinction is crucial since it indicates that the player’s contract has no bearing on the team’s salary cap or the number of players allowed on the roster for the current season. Rather, the player is added to the off-season 90-man roster cap and the financial terms of the contract are applied to the salary cap of the next year.
A player is placed on the reserve/futures list as soon as they sign a futures contract, which effectively stops them from negotiating with other teams. In contrast, players on the practice squad are open to being signed by other teams. A futures contract prevents the athlete from participating in team discussions with any other team, as it grants the contracting team exclusive rights over the player.
The Final Word
The Detroit Lions made a calculated bet in the future depth and talent of their offensive line when they decided to sign Netane Muti to a Reserve/Future contract. Muti’s past performance, particularly his involvement in the 2021 season, indicates that he could be a valuable addition to the team. The Lions have secured Muti’s future contributions to their team by utilizing a Reserve/Future deal. They have also prudently managed their pay cap and roster, setting themselves up for future success. This action emphasizes how crucial futures contracts are to NFL team planning and roster control tactics.
