Arnold's Uncertain Future
Ex-Lions CB Terrion Arnold Draws Four-Team NFL Interest Despite Felony Charges, Legal Uncertainty
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Key Points
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Arnold was a first‑round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2024, and over his NFL career he’s allowed a 59% completion rate on 134 targets, averaging 13.4 yards per catch with 1 interception and 12 pass breakups.
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Texans have already hosted a workout for Arnold (the team paid for his flight), and he has additional visits scheduled; four teams—Colts, Jets, Seahawks and Texans—have shown interest.
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A July hearing in Hillsborough County Circuit Court in Tampa featured testimony from Arnold’s agent, and the judge denied prosecutors’ request to require him to wear a GPS tether while under home confinement.
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NFL implications remain uncertain, with the possibility that Arnold could be placed on the Commissioner Exempt List depending on team signings and league assessment.
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is a free agent — and four NFL teams are already circling. CBS Sports reported that Arnold worked out for the Houston Texans, who paid for his flight, and has visits scheduled with three other teams: the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, and Seattle Seahawks. Arnold faces eight felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping and is currently under house arrest.
Arnold's agent, Nicole Lynn, told a Tampa court that a signing is "very likely" within about 45 days. Yahoo Sports reported that Lynn named all four interested teams during a July hearing in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. Arnold was released by Detroit last month and cleared waivers, making him available to any team willing to take the risk.
Eight Felony Charges Did Not Scare Teams Away
Arnold faces charges that carry a potential life sentence. The crimes alleged are armed robbery and kidnapping. Despite that, NFL teams are moving fast. CBS Sports confirmed the Texans already hosted a workout — an unusual move for a player with active felony charges. The team even covered Arnold's travel costs, a signal of serious interest.
The New York Post reported that the Jets are among the four interested clubs, even though Arnold could face life in prison if convicted. Arnold was a first-round pick in 2024. Over his NFL career, he allowed a 59% completion rate on 134 targets, averaged 13.4 yards per catch allowed, grabbed 1 interception, and broke up 12 passes. That kind of talent is hard for teams to ignore.
Judge Denies GPS Tether, Home Confinement Stands
Prosecutors pushed hard to make Arnold wear a GPS tracking device while under home confinement. The judge said no. That ruling matters for any potential NFL deal. A GPS tether could have made travel for team workouts and games nearly impossible. Home confinement alone is still a major hurdle, but it leaves the door open.
Yahoo Sports reported that Arnold's agent addressed the court directly during the July hearing. Lynn argued that signing with an NFL team was a real and near-term possibility. The court's decision not to add the tether gives Arnold slightly more flexibility — though he is still restricted in his movements and must navigate court approval for any football activity.
Commissioner Exempt List Looms as NFL's Next Move
Even if a team signs Arnold, the NFL may not let him play right away. The league can place a player on the Commissioner Exempt List. That list pays a player but keeps him off the field while legal issues are resolved. It is a common tool the NFL uses in serious criminal cases. Arnold's situation — eight felony charges, house arrest, ongoing trial — fits that profile.
Heavy noted that the Seahawks are one of the teams linked to Arnold, adding another layer to what is becoming a league-wide conversation about risk versus reward. The Big Lead also confirmed the four-team interest. If Arnold lands on the Exempt List, a team gets no on-field return. That calculus may be why no one has signed him yet, even with workouts already done.
45-Day Timeline Puts Decision Near Training Camp
Agent Nicole Lynn's 45-day window lines up almost exactly with the start of NFL training camps. Teams will need to decide soon. A player under house arrest adds roster and logistics complications. Arnold cannot simply show up anywhere on short notice. Any team that signs him will need court approval for travel and practice participation.
The New York Post pointed out that the Jets' interest is notable given the high public profile of the charges. Arnold turns 23 this year, making him young enough that teams see long-term upside. If the legal case drags on — or leads to a plea deal — a team that signs him early could get a first-round talent at a bargain price. That gamble appears to be exactly what four franchises are willing to make.
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