With the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril, perhaps the most important free agent for the Detroit Lions to re-sign now is linebacker Stephen Tulloch. He joined the Lions last summer when he signed a one-year deal. Now he is set to become a free agent after recording 111 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions for the Lions in 2011.
Barring something unforeseen in the next three hours, Tulloch will hit the open market at 4 p.m. when free agency begins. Tulloch is expected to draw a lot of interest on the open market, and although he certainly wouldn't mind re-signing with the Lions, he is going to see what kind of offers come his way before deciding anything.
"I let my agent really handle that stuff, but obviously, the Lions do want me back, and I would love to come back," Tulloch said. "But at this point in my career, things have to be right. My family and my situation going on, I just want to continue to play football and get what I deserve, and that’s what it boils down to. And hopefully, things can work out there. If not, I know another team will step in there and do what’s right and move forward to win some ballgames."
Hopefully with the cap space the Lions cleared on Monday and the extra cap space they are getting thanks to the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, something can be worked out with Tulloch. Space is still limited, and Tulloch very well may find a bigger offer on the open market, but he had nothing but good things to say about Lions fans and the city of Detroit during his interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday.