The Lions have made their first big move of free agency.
The club agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal with former Eagles offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai on Monday, according to Adam Caplan.
Vaitai, 26, spent the first four years of his career in Philadelphia and figures to
replace right tackle Rick Wagner in Detroit.
Former #Eagles OL Big V agrees to a deal with the #Lions: 5 years, $50m, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl)
March 16, 2020 It's a sizable investment for the Lions, who continue to sink funds into their offensive line under GM Bob Quinn. They're also expected to add a new guard this offseason, either via free agency or the draft, to replace Graham Glasgow.
In his five years at the helm, Quinn has drafted two offensive linemen in the first round in Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow and signed three more to expensive contracts in TJ Lang, Wagner and now Vaitai.
Vaitai played all 16 games for the Eagles each of the last three seasons, although he started just three in 2019 and one in 2018. He'll be a starter right away in Detroit, and he'll be expected to deliver after his payday. His upside is in his age and his versatility.
What helped "Big V" get legit interest from a bunch of teams:Started at LT during #Eagles SB run (13 total in career), 11 starts at RT, plus can play guard if needed. Massive frame, dropped a ton of weight after being drafted, high character, turns just 27 in June.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl)
March 16, 2020 Vaitai was a fifth-round pick out of TCU in 2016.
