Today Nate Burleson became a cap casualty for financially strapped Lions as the veteran wide out was informed that he would be released saving the team $5.5 million.
The Lions have informed Nate Burleson he's being released today. Move saves about $5.5M in cap room, leaves the locker room short a leader.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 13, 2014
Now this doesn’t mean Burleson is gone for good, they re-sign him to lower his cap number entering the 2014 season. However as it stands right now we can perhaps being making assumptions in regards to the following:
- The Lions are setting themselves up to draft a wide receiver with the 10th overall pick this coming May. Right now at wide out the Lions have Calvin Johnson and… Chris Durham? Blah…
- The Lions are freeing up money for that crippling Ndamukong Suh contract.
Burleson also released a statement to Dave Birkett:
Burleson: "It’s a hard decision for them to make, but I can’t blame them for making it." Said he still intends to play in 2014.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 13, 2014
A lot of people will link Burleson to the Cowboys because of Linehan, but another landing spot that might make sense is Tampa Bay.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 13, 2014
Insert bad Pizza joke here…