The Detroit Lions have informed outside linebacker Trey Flowers he's being released, according to a source familiar with the conversations. The move, which is expected to become official next week, will clear more than $10 million in cap space ahead of the opening of free agency on March 16.
The Lions initially signed Flowers in 2019, inking him to the largest contract awarded to any free agent that offseason, both in total money and guarantees. The five-year pact was valued at $90 million with $56 million guaranteed to the player.
Prior to joining the Lions, Flowers had established himself as one of the league's most productive edge rushers during four seasons with the New England Patriots, the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft out of Arkansas.