Former Ole Miss standout CJ Moore inks new NFL deal

The Detroit Lions have officially ensured that one of their most important special teams’ players will be coming back for one more year. Former Ole Miss standout C.J. Moore signed a new deal with the Lions on Sunday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The new deal is worth up to potentially $2.4 million, but it comes with $800,000 guaranteed. Moore has been one of the Lions best special teams players for the past three years, so it was an important move for them to lock him up before the start of free agency. The free agent negotiating period opens on Monday, March 14 at noon. Players can officially begin signing deals with new teams beginning on Wednesday, March 16.

As a defensive back for Detroit in the 2021-2022 season, he racked up 22 tackles and snatched one interception. Where he’s really shined for the Lions has been special teams. Per PFF, they graded him 82.6 on special teams in 2021-2022, ranking him 26th of 218 players in the league. This past season, he logged 302 snaps on special teams for Detroit.

The Lions have already retained critical players on their roster such as fullback Jason Cabinda, linebacker/special teamer Josh Woods, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, and now, Moore.

Ole Miss stats for C.J. Moore

In 2018 during his senior season with the Ole Miss Rebels, Moore started the first five games before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury against LSU on Sept. 29. He tallied 17 tackles, three pass breakups, and a team-high two fumble recoveries. As a redshirt junior during the 2017 season, he played in 11 games, racking up a career-high 51 tackles. He also led the team with three interceptions. Against the Cal Golden Bears, he became the first Rebel player to snatch two interceptions in a game since Zedrick Woods did it in 2016 against Memphis.