Shakeup Continues: Lions Reportedly Release Devon Kennard

Devon Kennard
Photo credit © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In a move reminiscent of trading Quandre Diggs, the Lions have reportedly released co-captain Devon Kennard.

The veteran linebacker had been one of the team's leaders on defense since signing a three-year, $17.25 deal in 2018. 

#Lions are releasing LB Devon Kennard, source says. Bit of a surprise there. Team captain coming off back-to-back seven-sack seasons. Should have interest elsewhere.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 17, 2020

With the move, the Lions will save $5.675 million against the cap in 2020. It's a crucial year for Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn, and they're not messing around this offseason. Kennard is just the latest player to be discarded from a defense that was one of the worst in the NFL in 2019. 

The Lions have also moved on from Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels and likely A'Shawn Robinson, overhauling the interior of their defensive line. And now they're shaking up the linebacker corps as well. 

On the other side of things, they've signed linebacker Jamie Collins and defensive tackle Nicholas Williams. And on offense they've added right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai to replace Rick Wagner, another victim of the team's offseason makeover. 

Kennard was well-liked within Detroit's locker room -- so was Diggs, another former co-captain -- and dependable on the field. He had seven sacks each of the last two seasons. Now the Lions will have to find his leadership and production somewhere else.