RapSheet: Terrion Arnold on exempt list if signed

ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that the NFL must decide whether to put Arnold on the Commissioner’s Exempt List regarding his February arrest in relation to a robbery and kidnapping. Arnold reportedly has eight pending felony charges. The Lions drafted Arnold in the 2024 NFL Draft’s first round. They waived him in June. He notched four pass breakups and one interception in eight games last year.

He’s visited the Saints, Seahawks, and Texans over the past few weeks. It seems likely that Arnold will eventually sign, though perhaps he’ll be in limbo while teams wait for his felony kidnapping and armed robbery charges play out in the courtroom.

Arnold met with the Seahawks on Sunday and also met with the Texans last month. The former No. 24 overall pick is in search of a new home following his release from the Lions and is facing felony kidnapping and armed robbery charges. It seems unlikely that Arnold signs with a team until his legal troubles are behind him, but there are plenty of teams willing to take him on if he is cleared.

Arnold visited with the Texans about a month ago, and it was recently reported that the Jets had some level of interest in him as well. Arnold’s August 13 arraignment regarding a kidnapping and robbery case is fast approaching, and the Seahawks evidently wanted to bring him in for a visit beforehand. A deal does not appear to be imminent, but things could move quickly at some point down the road.

Arnold is facing felony kidnapping and armed robbery charges. It was previously reported that three NFL teams had expressed interest in him after the Lions cut him. The Jets are apparently one of them. The Texans had been identified as another. Glenn characterized his team’s inquiry as doing its “due diligence.” He previously coached Arnold during his time as the Lions’ defensive coordinator. A deal does not appear imminent.

ESPN’s Xuan Thai first reported the news. The ruling by a Florida judge on Friday allows the free agent cornerback to visit NFL teams as he looks for a new contract following his release by the Lions last month. Arnold was being held after turning himself in following a kidnapping and robbery incident in the Tampa area in February 2026. He visited with the Texans Thursday and is now free to continue his search for a new home, with the expectation that he’ll garner tangible interest on the open market.

According to Schefter, Arnold is scheduled to visit with two more teams next week. Whether or not a team would sign Arnold while he awaits his trial for the multiple felonies he’s facing that relate to a February robbery and kidnapping is to be determined, but it doesn’t appear his attorney was bluffing when he said last week that multiple teams have already reached out to him. Arnold was waived by the Lions on June 29th and became an outright free agent after going unclaimed on waivers. The 23-year-old corner has appeared in 24 games in his career, totaling 91 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and one interception.

Arnold is facing a mountain of legal issues in connection with a February robbery and kidnapping that took place in Tampa Bay. It comes as no surprise that he cleared waivers, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the 2024 first-round pick “is expected to visit NFL teams that have expressed interest in signing him.” Arnold’s lawyer came out last week and said at least three teams have already expressed interest in signing him, but we would be surprised if any deal got done before his case is completely behind him.

Steinberg claimed this in his written opposition to the prosecution’s motion to require Arnold to wear an ankle monitor while on home confinement ahead of his trial. That, of course, would prevent him from being with another team. Arnold is facing multiple felony charges after being arrested in connection with a February robbery and kidnapping in Tampa Bay. It’s hard to believe multiple teams are willing to sign Arnold given the charges levied against him, and it’s possible the court doesn’t even allow him to travel to those teams. The NFL can also step in and place him on the commissioner’s exempt list, so we would be shocked if he plays football anytime soon.

Just hours after it was announced that Arnold’s bond would be set for $1 million, the Lions have opted to part ways with the former No. 24 overall pick. Arnold will now go on waivers, where he will presumably go unclaimed, and is likely to remain unsigned while he works through his legal issues. He is facing multiple felonies, which include four counts of kidnapping and assault, and could be sentenced to up to life in prison if convicted. Arnold has appeared in 24 regular season games in his two seasons with the Lions, totaling 91 tackles, one interception, and 18 pass breakups.