Lions Trying To Trade ILB Stephen Tulloch, Will Cut Him If No Deal

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Lions are trying to trade veteran ILB Stephen Tulloch. 

However, if they’re unable to find a trade partner in the coming months, Birkett mentions that they will release Tulloch this spring.

On Tuesday, Lions GM Bob Quinn declined to explain what was going on with Tulloch, seeing as reports had said previously that they informed the veteran linebacker he was going to be released at the start of the new league year.

Surprisingly enough, we’re three weeks into the league year and Tulloch is still on their roster.

Quinn did say that Tulloch is still with the team due to a “contractual issue.”

Even so, sources have told Birkett that Tulloch isn’t part of the team’s plans in 2016.

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.