So sad: The Detroit Lions said goodbye to one of their longest-tenured defensive players due to…
Tracy Walker, the safety, has been released by the Detroit Lions, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
On February 20, safety Tracy Walker, one of the Detroit Lions’ longest-tenured defensive players, departed from the team.
The Lions are cutting Walker in order to free up roughly $5.5 million in cap space, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
In the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, Walker was selected by the Lions at pick No. 82 overall. The 29-year-old has never participated in competition for another team.
Walker started 43 of 79 games with the Lions in six seasons. With 16 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits, he totaled 398 tackles. In addition, he recorded 2 forced fumbles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 23 pass defenses.
Walker started six games in 2023 before switching to special teams in Week 14.
Walker was cut by the Lions a day after Matt Okada of NFL.com listed the safety as one of the possible NFC roster cuts.
Lions Release Tracy Walker To Save Cap Space
Walker’s release after June 1 would have freed up an additional $2.5 million in cap space for Detroit. However, the Lions now have an extra $5.5 million to spend when free agency opens in March, thanks to the trade of Walker.
It may also be deemed courteous to release Walker at this time. Compared to June, it will be simpler for the veteran to sign with a different team at the beginning of free agency.
Walker made 34 starts in the 2019–21 season before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 3 of the 2022 campaign.
He started the previous season as a reserve safety but was able to return to the starting lineup following C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s pectoral injury.
Walker began the first seven weeks in the starting lineup and switched to a reserve position in Week 8. Walker made his sixth start of the season in Week 12, but in the final five regular-season games, he only totaled four defensive snaps.
Walker appeared in the playoffs as a healthy scratch.
Walker was replaced at safety by third-year player Ifeatu Melifonwu.Over the remaining five games of the regular season, Melifonwu finished with three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, three sacks, and two interceptions.
Melifonwu then recorded 16 total tackles, 3 quarterback hits, and 2 sacks throughout the playoffs.
Walker signed a three-year, $25 million contract during the 2022 offseason, and the 2024 campaign was meant to be his last. He was supposed to count as a $12.8 million cap hit prior to his release.
Walker Says Goodbye to Lions
Walker had all but announced his impending exit from the Lions prior to Birkett’s article.
Detroit In an Instagram post, Walker said, “I want to thank you for accepting me as family and bringing me in as a rookie.” “Over the past six years, the Ford family has given me the chance to be a part of something truly amazing, and for that, I am grateful.
Year 7 has a bright future ahead of them, and time is running out faster than ever.”
Detroit now needs safety more than ever in Walker’s absence. Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph, the Lions’ returning starters, should provide depth either through free agency or the NFL draft.
Gardner-Johnson is a pending free agent, so the Lions may be able to sign him again.
The Lions have a big need at cornerback this offseason. As a result, the secondary team for the Lions may gain multiple new players.
In March, cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley, Jerry Jacobs, and Kindle Vildor will all be unrestricted free agents.
John Whiticar of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit stated on February 19 that the signing of “several starting-caliber” cornerbacks by the Lions prior to the 2024 campaign is imperative.
