Detroit Lions Finally Release Stephen Tulloch

Months later than expected, the Detroit Lions have finally released Stephen Tulloch.

Stephen Tulloch hasn’t been part of the Detroit Lions for 2016 and beyond going back to February when he said his goodbye on social media. But while it appeared his release was imminent, nothing official happened right away.

Then there was speculation that the Lions would try to get something in return in a trade leading up to or during the 2016 NFL Draft rather than outright releasing Tulloch. The draft came and went and Tulloch was still a Lion.

General manager Bob Quinn has repeatedly referred to Tulloch’s situation as a “contract issue” without explaining what that meant.

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The Lions went through their offseason activities with Tulloch still on the roster, although he was excused from participating. Now, finally, Tulloch has been released. The press release announcing the move came with the following statement from head coach Jim Caldwell:

"“As I have said numerous times since I became head coach of the Lions, Stephen Tulloch has been a consummate professional on and off the field.”“We thank him for his contributions to the Lions and the Detroit community and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.”Tulloch joined the Lions in 2011 as an unrestricted free agent and appeared in and started 67 games for Detroit. Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round (116 overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft out of North Carolina State, Tulloch’s career totals include 147 games (112 starts), 913 total tackles (652 solo), 14.5 sacks, five interceptions, 27 pass defenses, two forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries."

I posited at the end of the team’s mandatory minicamp, from which Tulloch was excused, that the Lions may have kept him around as insurance in case of injury. The Lions may not have had Tulloch in their plans, but teams are not in full control of their plans – particularly as it relates to injury. Tahir Whitehead re-signed to become the Lions’ new starting linebacker full time but what if he suffered a devastating injury in OTAs? Then Tulloch would have been a better option than a street free agent.

But getting out of the offseason program healthy means the Lions can feel good about officially moving on and Tulloch still has the chance to find a new home well in advance of training camp.