BREAKING NEWS: Lions and NFL Insiders Reveal 3 Detroit Lions Key Players set to Become Cap Casualties

3 Detroit Lions Players Who May Become Cap Casualties
As the dust settles on Super Bowl LVIII, NFL teams are looking ahead to the summer, focusing on their finances and personnel for the 2024 season. The Detroit Lions are in a relatively comfortable position with an estimated $61 million in cap space, ranking seventh among NFL teams, according to Spotrac, but OverTheCap’s projection of $45.2 million in effective cap space—accounting for at least 51 roster spots and the upcoming rookie class—suggests the Lions will need to manoeuvre.
Despite this seemingly favourable financial scenario, the Detroit Lions may choose to boost their cap space by around $12 million by releasing three specific players. This technique highlights the harsh realities of the NFL’s wage cap management, in which even essential contributors can be cut. Here are three players who may become cap casualties.

Tracy Walker Safety Measures
Tracy Walker, who is in the final year of a three-year contract signed in 2022, is one of the players under examination. Walker’s $12.8 million salary charge in 2024 may be too high for the Lions, especially given that he was a healthy scratch during the Lions’ playoff games. Cutting Walker would release $5.5 million in cap space, providing some financial respite as they plan for the future.

 

John Cominsky’s Defensive Line Decisions

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John Cominsky is another Lions player whose contract could be terminated. With a $6.2 million cap charge in 2024, the defensive lineman’s performance last season—characterized by a drop in production—may not justify the financial commitment. Releasing Cominsky might provide the Lions an additional $4.6 million in cap space, allowing them to transfer resources to areas of greater need.

Levi Onwuzurike: Tackles the Future
Levi Onwuzurike, a former second-round choice entering the final year of his rookie deal, has a cap hit of approximately $2.6 million. After missing the entire 2022 season due to a back ailment and playing a limited part the next year, the Lions may consider his release a financially wise decision. Even if Onwuzurike showed flashes of pass-rush talent last season, doing so would save about $1.8 million.

Bottom line.
The NFL offseason is a period of difficult decisions and financial calculations. The Detroit Lions’ probable releases of Tracy Walker, John Cominsky, and Levi Onwuzurike represent a challenging balancing of performance, potential, and cost. As the team seeks to optimize its roster and cap space, these decisions will be critical in establishing its plan for the 2024 season and beyond.