Detroit Lions told corner Desmond Trufant he will be released early in the league, which begins on March 17, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 30-year-old Trufant signed a two-year, $ 20 million contract with the Lions before the 2020 season to replace Darius Slay, who was traded to Philadelphia. Detroit owes him another $ 3.5 million in guaranteed money for 2021.
It never worked for Trufant, who was the starter of week 1, as he spent most of the season with hamstring problems that limited him to six games, one interception and four assists. He also got into a fight during the game with Jeff Okudah, the first-round rookie voter, and Amani Oruwariye, a second-year professional, for outside seats. Trufant’s role as corner 1 has been questioned for the 2021 season.
With both Oruwariye and Okudah under contract for the foreseeable future and being much younger, this made the 30-year-old Trufant a consumable. He is scheduled to earn $ 9.5 million in cash in 2021 and have a maximum hit of $ 12.5 million.
By releasing it, the lions saved $ 3 million in cover space – and if designated as a post-June 1 discount, $ 6.5 million. He will bear a $ 6 million fee for the Lions this year, according to the Roster Management System.
The release of Trufant helps the Lions free up ceiling space after Matthew Stafford’s exchange for Jared Goff.
On Tuesday, head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions need competition in the corner position.
“We need competition in that area. We need depth in the areas,” Campbell said. “We need competition. I mean, just because, for example, we have two young defenders, man, you still want competition. You want guys who have to compete [with] who are able to push them or put pressure on that starting position. I mean, it’s just healthy. It makes you better. ”
Trufant, the former first-round pick for Atlanta in 2013, made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and started all 103 games he played in his career, making 14 interceptions with 83 defending passes, 3 forced fumbles and 7 rebounds. fumble. He played with the Falcons except last season.