Detroit Lions told cornerback Desmond Trufant that he will be released early in the league year, which begins on March 17, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Trufant signed a two-year, $ 20 million contract with Lions ahead of the 2020 season to be the team’s replacement for Darius Slay, who was negotiated with Philadelphia. Detroit still owes him $ 3.5 million in guaranteed money for 2021.
It never worked well for Trufant, who was the holder of Week 1, as he spent most of the season with hamstring problems that limited him to six games, an interception and four defending passes. He also ended up in a game-time battle with first round newbie Jeff Okudah and second year pro Amani Oruwariye for external positions. Trufant’s role as No. 1 corner was in question for the 2021 season.
With Oruwariye and Okudah under contract for the foreseeable future and being much younger, this made 30-year-old Trufant expendable. He was scheduled to earn $ 9.5 million in cash in 2021 and reach a cap of $ 12.5 million.
By releasing it, Lions saved $ 3 million in cap space – and if it’s considered a post-June 1 cut, $ 6.5 million. It will carry a cost of $ 6 million for Lions this year, according to the List Management System.
The launch of Trufant helps Lions open up space after Matthew Stafford was replaced by Jared Goff.
On Tuesday, coach Dan Campbell said the Lions needed competition in the cornerback position.
“We need competition in that area. We need depth in the areas,” said Campbell. “We need competition. I mean, just because, for example, we have two young cornerbacks, man, you still want competition. You want guys that they have to compete in. [with] that are able to push them, or they are pushing to 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 during his career, making 14 interceptions with 83 defended passes, 3 forced fumbles and 7 fumble recoveries. He played almost the entire season with the Falcons.