Detroit Lions part with defensive back Trey Flowers

In a social media post Thursday, Trey Flowers signed off with a message: “Truly grateful for the love and lessons!!”

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have informed the outside linebacker Trey Flowers will be released next week when the new league year starts, a source told ESPN.

The Detroit Free Press was the first outlet to report the news.

In a social media post this Thursday, Flowers wrote: “Truly grateful for the love and lessons!!”

In 2019, the Lions converted the two-time champion of the superbowl into one of the richest defenders in the league with a $90 million deal over five years with $56 million guaranteed, but Flowers he couldn’t stay healthy over the last two seasons.

He was placed on injured reserve in 2020 and 2021, and had just 3.5 total sacks over that stretch. He had seven sacks in his first season with the Lionswhen he played in 15 games.

The original agreement was signed under the former head coach of the Lions, Matt Patricia, who was familiar with Flowers for their time together with the New England Patriots. The new regime, headed by the general manager Brad Holmes and the head coach Dan Campbellis taking a new direction.

The decision of detroit to cut to Flowers it also opens up at least $10 million in salary-cap space prior to the start of free agency. Flowers had a scheduled impact of $23.2 million for 2022.

“On Trey, you speak of the maximum player-cohesion. The top leader. You just love, that’s all it’s about in terms of toughness and just being a football player,” he said. Holmes regarding the future of Flowers during his season finale press conference. “So, it was unfortunate what he had to deal with. But again, those discussions are for the future.”

Off the field, Flowers was a consummate professional who remained active in the community of detroit and was committed to reforming the criminal justice system, speaking out against mass incarceration.

He was selected by the patriots with the second turn of the fourth round (No. 101 overall) of the Draft 2015 of the NFLand had 21 sacks in his four seasons with New England.