The Detroit Lions have officially released veteran defensive end/linebacker Trey Flowers. The team announced the move in a press release on Wednesday shortly after the onset of the new NFL league year.
The move was widely anticipated, with the Lions telling Flowers last week that they were looking to move on.
Flowers spent three seasons in Detroit after being a centerpiece free agent signing by then-GM Bob Quinn in 2019. In 29 games over the three injury-marred seasons, Flowers racked up 10.5 sacks and 97 total tackles. He was the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2020 and was a valued presence in the locker room under both coaching staffs he played for in Detroit.
There is no word on if the Lions used the post-June 1st designation in the transaction. If not, the move frees up $10.386 million in salary cap room for the 2022 season. Flowers had two remaining years on his five-year, $90 million contract. He is not subject to waivers and does not factor into the compensatory draft pick formula by being released.
In a prepared statement from the team, head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes had this to say about Flowers,
We speak on behalf of our entire organization in thanking Trey for his contributions to the Detroit Lions over the last three years. He has been an exemplary leader for our team both on and off the field and has helped us set a foundation for the future. Trey is a man of integrity who embodies what it means to serve his community and stand for something larger than yourself. We wish him and his family success as he enters the next stage of his career.
