Detroit Lions re-sign Tavon Wilson to two-year deal
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions continued a trend of re-signing their own free agents, this time agreeing to a new deal with safety Tavon Wilson.
The Detroit Lions have re-upped with another of their own. After re-signing Kerry Hyder and Don Muhlbach in recent days, the Lions have agreed to a new deal with safety Tavon Wilson this morning.
Wilson was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year on Wednesday. Since he is re-signing with the Lions instead of a new team, he can put pen to paper immediately.
The deal was reported as a two-year deal worth $7 million, although Ian Rapoport adds that Wilson could earn up to $8 million.
Minutes after the news broke on Twitter, the Lions announced the signing via press release:
"The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed S Tavon Wilson. Contract terms were not disclosed.Wilson returns to Detroit after originally joining the Lions in 2016 as an unrestricted free agent following a four-year stint (2012-15) with the New England Patriots. He played in 10 games last season (nine starts) and finished with 55 total tackles (42 solo), a career-high two sacks, one interception, two pass defenses and one forced fumble.A second-round draft selection (48th overall) by the Patriots in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Illinois, Wilson’s career totals include 79 games played (27 starts), 207 total tackles (163 solo), three sacks, eight interceptions, 14 pass defenses, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. In eight postseason games (one start), he has logged 12 tackles."
Wilson originally came to the Lions two offseasons ago as part of Bob Quinn’s first free agent class after taking the Lions general manager job. The fit between Wilson and Quinn was a natural given the New England Patriots connection and Wilson has given the Lions some solid play.
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He played ten games before going out with a shoulder injury last season. That helped lead to Quandre Diggs‘ move to safety. Diggs was shined in the Lions defense after the move but re-signing Wilson means the Lions can keep Diggs in a versatile role. That could mean some time in the slot, at safety or as part of a three safety look the Lions have used at times, particularly in 2016, and something new head coach Matt Patricia has done with the Patriots defense.