The Detroit Lions made a shocking move on February 20, parting ways with their long-time defensive player Tracy Walker. The decision to release Walker was made in order to free up approximately $5.5 million in cap space, according to reports from the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. Walker, who was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, has been with the team for his entire career.
During his time with the Lions, Walker started in 43 out of 79 games, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team’s defense. He accumulated an impressive 398 combined tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits. Additionally, Walker displayed his versatility with 23 pass defenses, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.
However, the 2023 season saw a shift in Walker’s role. After starting in six games, he transitioned into a special teams role in Week 14. This change may have played a role in the Lions’ decision to release him.
The move to release Walker came as a surprise, but it was not entirely unexpected. NFL.com’s Matt Okada recently listed Walker as a potential candidate for roster cuts in the NFC. Now, the Lions will move forward without one of their key defensive players, and it remains to be seen how they will fill the void left by Walker’s departure.
According to the Source heavy.com