97.1 The Ticket -- The Detroit Lions are reportedly parting ways with yet another starter ahead of the start of free agency.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the news.
The #Lions are releasing CB Nevin Lawson, source said. He was due nearly $5M in 2019.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
March 10, 2019 Lawson, a fourth-round draft pick in 2014, made 54 starts for the Lions over the last four seasons and recorded 194 career tackles, with one sack.
He signed a two-year extension last offseason worth $9.2 million. The Lions would reportedly avoid paying a $1.625 million roster bonus due next week by releasing him, though the team will still have to pay Lawson a portion of his signing bonus, in addition to other bonuses.
So I’m told the Lions have not informed CB Nevin Lawson he’s being released. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but Lions have not notified him yet.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett)
March 10, 2019 The move would reportedly clear more than $4 million as the team heads into the free agency period, which officially begins on Wednesday.
The Lions will have more than $40 million available in cap space heading into free agency. Subtracting money for rookie contracts and emergency "rainy day funds," the Lions will have a little more than
$30 million to spend on free agents in an attempt to improve the roster.
Detroit finished last season 6-10 in head coach Matt Patricia's first year with the team.
