Over the course of the past several days, the Detroit Lions have been looking for a trade partner for linebacker Jamie Collins.
After being unable to find any interest in him on the trade market, Detroit has reportedly released the two-time Super Bowl champion.
It’s somewhat surprising that the Lions weren’t able to find a taker for Collins in a trade. The nine-year veteran is earning a mere $3.8 million base salary in 2021 — a number that wouldn’t handcuff most contending teams.
A former second-round pick of the New England Patriots, the 31-year-old Collins has earned two Super Bowl titles and a Pro Bowl appearance since entering the league back in 2013. While he has not been anywhere near the player he was in New England during stints with the Browns and Lions, there’s still a lot to like here.
Collins ranks among the top-five NFL linebackers in interceptions and passes defended since the start of the 2019 season.
There’s certainly going to be some interest in his services on the free-agent market. Teams such as the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns potentially are solid fits.
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