Detroit Lions : 5 Players Who May Not Be Back In 2016

Riley Reiff

Prior to the 2015 season, the GM Martin Mayhew announced that the team would be picking up the 5th year option on LT Riley Reiff. In Mayhew’s defense, it seemed like a simple choice. Reiff was coming off of his best season in 2014 and showed an ability to steadily improve. However, his play in 2015 seemed like a major setback.

Now there are suggestions of moving Reiff to the right side, even possibly back his more natural position of guard. In Reiff’s defense he was voted by his peers as the Lions offensive line MVP in 2015, but that isn’t saying much. The offensive line was dismal at times. They began to pick it up as a unit once Jim Bob Cooter took over as offensive coordinator and simplified the blocking schemes.

Still, Reiff did not look like a player worth paying $8 million.

And the eight million dollars is the key. The Lions either have to retain Reiff for the $8 million dollars or cut him with zero in dead cap money. It seems likely that the Lions would cut him and then re-sign him at a lower rate. Still, there is a possibility that he will not be in a Detroit Lions uniform in 2016.

Next: Joique Bell