Source: Lions to release pass-rusher Flowers

DETROIT – Lions have informed outside linebacker Trey Flowers that he will be released next week when the league year starts on Wednesday, a source told ESPN.

The Detroit Free Press was the first to report the news.

IN at tweete ThursdayFlowers wrote: “Really grateful for the love and the lessons !!”

In 2019, the Lions made the two-time Super Bowl champion one of the richest defenders in football with a $ 90 million deal over five years with $ 56 million guaranteed, but the Flowers have not been able to stay healthy over the past two seasons.

He was placed on the injured reserve list in the 2020 and 2021 seasons and had only 3.5 total layoffs over the two-year period. He had seven sacks in his first season with the Lions when he played in 15 games.

The original deal was signed under former Lions coach Matt Patricia, who was familiar with the Flowers from their time with the New England Patriots. The new regime, led by general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, is moving in a different direction.

Detroit’s decision to release Flowers also releases at least $ 10 million in salary cap prior to the free agency period. Flowers had a ceiling of $ 23.2 million in 2022.

“In Trey, you’re talking about the ultimate limph. The ultimate leader. You just love – he’s what we’re all about in terms of gravel and just being a football player,” Holmes said of Flowers’ future during his time. availability at the end of the season. “So it was a shame when he had to deal with what he had to deal with. But again, those discussions are going to be down the road.”

Off the field, Flowers was the ultimate professional who was active in the Detroit community and was committed to criminal justice reform and spoke out against mass incarceration.

He was selected by the Patriots with the second pick in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2015 NFL draft and had 21 sacks in four seasons in New England.