Lions Releasing Veteran LB Stephen Tulloch Considered “Imminent”

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports that the Lions releasing veteran LB Stephen Tulloch is considered “imminent.”

Lions GM Bob Quinn previously told PFT that it was possible Tulloch could be back in Detroit this year, but added that there is currently no timeline for a decision.

“There’s no timeline,” Quinn said. “We’re working through a few things with Stephen and his representative as we speak. So no timeline that I have.”

Tulloch indicated that he has no plans to retire no matter what happens with the Lions in the coming weeks.

With many questions regarding me, know that my decade of hard work on & off the field speaks for itself. If know me this journey isn't over!

— Stephen Tulloch (@stephentulloch) May 9, 2016

Tulloch has been one of the stranger topics this offseason, given that reports from months ago mentioned that they informed Tulloch that he was being released. However, they paid him a $500,000 roster bonus. Reports later said that they were trying to trade Tulloch.

Tulloch, 31, is in the final year of his five-year, $25.5 million contract that included $11.25 million guaranteed. He was set to make a base salary of $5.5 million for the 2016 season.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading would free up $6 million in available cap space while creating $1.3 million in dead money.

In 2015, Tulloch appeared in all 16 games and recorded 108 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, two recoveries and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 54 linebacker out of 97 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Tulloch as the news is available.