The Detroit Lions and general manager Bob Quinn know full well that they need to upgrade their roster to become relevant in the NFC North following a last-place finish in 2018.
Their first step in that process was cutting the excess fat off the team’s underperforming roster. On Friday, that included releasing longtime safety and former Pro Bowler Glover Quin.
The #Lions have released S Glover Quin, the veteran who carried a nearly $8M cap number. They also cut WR Bruce Ellington and LB Nicholas Grigsby
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2019
The 33-year-old Quin was set to count $8 million against the cap. Detroit clears a cool $6.25 million off said cap by releasing him.
A fourth-round pick of the Houston Texans back in 2009, Quin signed a five-year, $23.5 million deal in Detroit back in 2003. Since then, he’s been a full-time starter in the Motor City — racking up 37 passes defended and 19 interceptions.
There will certainly be a market for Quin in free agency. Though, that will come on a short-term deal.
This move puts the Lions at about $37 million under the cap. The team can save another $9 million if it were to decide to move on from guard T.J. Lang.