Note: Andria Dolan and Ty Finch contributed to this post
Just as Detroit Lions fans were beginning to celebrate a successful start to NFL Free Agency, Bob Quinn dropped a bomb festivities.
The Lions are releasing DeAndre Levy today, per a source.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 9, 2017
The move comes as a shock considering how Quinn planned on Levy’s healthy production in 2017. Clearly there was some kind of event that compelled the Detroit Lions to make this decision. But that is a story we may never hear considering how tight-lipped Lions management is when it comes to their players.
Levy will be designated a June 1 cut so the Lions will save some cap room for 2017.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 9, 2017
According the The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett on twitter, $1.75 million of Levy’s salaries became guaranteed this coming Saturday. But the Lions knew that going in and something must have happened to make unreasonable.
In other words: This wasn't to save money. This was an expression of what Detroit thinks he has left. (Not much.) https://t.co/ScceXq1Qh8
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) March 9, 2017
That said, according to MLive Detroit Lions beat reporter Kyle Meinke, there is some financial incentive to designating Levy on the June 1st cut list. The move frees up enough cap space to get one of the free agent Linebackers still left on the board, like Dont’a Hightower.
By designating Levy a post-June 1 cut, the numbers make more sense: $2.4 million in dead money, $5.8 million in cap savings
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) March 9, 2017
More than anything this move demonstrates that Bob Quinn will part ways with any player he thinks will hold the team back in 2017. No matter what the cost and no matter how big the name.
So whats next for Levy? This news was breaking at the time of this post so speculation is just beginning. That said you can bet a number of teams will be willing to take a flyer on the wing-walking linebacker. Maybe we will see him in land in the Windy City!
What do you think Lions fans? Is releasing Levy a good move or will you miss seeing the bearded defensive wonder roaming the sidelines at Ford Field. Sound off below.