Update:
Ian Rapoport is now reporting that the Lions are, in fact, releasing LB Devon Kennard after no trade surfaced.
The Lions have already confirmed the news:
The #Lions announced today that they have released LB Devon Kennard. pic.twitter.com/fKHeifGAWj
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 17, 2020
Ian Rapoport reports the Lions are actually having conversations about a potential trade for LB Devon Kennard instead of outright releasing him.
Regardless, Rapoport says Kennard won’t be in Detroit next season.
According to Mike Garafolo, the Lions are releasing LB Devon Kennard.
Garafolo says the move is a bit of a surprise, as Kennard was a team captain and had seven sacks each of the past two seasons.
However, the addition of LB Jamie Collins in free agency yesterday likely made Kennard somewhat expendable.
Kennard, 28, is a former fifth-round pick of the Giants back in 2014. He played out the final year of his four-year, $2,364,560 contract with the Giants and made a base salary of $1,797,000 for the 2017 season.
The Lions signed Kennard to a three-year, $18.75 million contract in 2018.
In 2019, Kennard appeared in all 16 games for the Lions and recorded 58 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble and two recoveries including one returned for a touchdown. Pro Football Focus rated Kennard as the No. 45 edge defender out of 107 qualifying players.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
