After agreeing to sign CB Cam Sutton and bringing back several players, notably LB Alex Anzalone, the Detroit Lions were running low on cap room to potentially sign more free agents. To help create some space to build the roster, or perhaps bring back RB Jamaal Williams or CB Mike Hughes, the Lions created some room by restructuring the contract of veteran safety Tracy Walker.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Lions restructured Walker’s contract to free up $5 million in cap room for 2023.
Walker is entering the second season of a three-year, $25 million extension signed before the 2022 campaign. He was due to earn a salary of $8.95 million in 2023. While the details are not yet available on the restructure, it’s likely the Lions lowered Walker’s base salary and converted the money to a bonus.
Such a move would free up cap room immediately but add the money saved in 2023 into dead cap room in 2024. Per Over The Cap, the Lions have around $14 million in cap space after the contractual commitments to Sutton, Anzalone and others on Monday.
Alex Anzalone returns to the Lions on a 3-year contract
