/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9595529/20121230_mjr_su5_367.0.jpg)
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a five-year deal with free-agent offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer. The move hasn't been officially announced just yet, but at the very least Cherilus appears to be done with the Detroit Lions.
This doesn't really come as much of a surprise considering what other moves the Lions have made at offensive tackle this offseason. They re-signed Corey Hilliard and told him that he will have a chance to start. They also tendered a contract to Jason Fox and said earlier in the offseason that he is ready to start.
Between Hilliard, Fox and Riley Reiff, the Lions should be set when it comes to finding a replacement for Cherilus. If it ends up being one of Hilliard and Fox, the Lions would have the flexibility to slide Reiff inside to right guard. They would also be able to do that if they end up drafting an offensive tackle with the fifth overall pick. If that were to happen, the Lions might even be able to move on from Jeff Backus a year earlier than anticipated.
For Cherilus, who is coming off of his best career season, he will have a chance for a fresh start in Indianapolis with the Colts. He had a very up and down career with the Lions after being a first-round pick back in 2008, but he performed well enough in 2012 to earn what sounds like a pretty nice new deal elsewhere.
UPDATE: Here are the details on Cherilus' deal with the Colts:
Gosder Cherilus' Colts deal is five-years, $34 million, including $10 milion bonus, per league source
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 13, 2013
More:
• Follow all of the Lions' free agency news
• 2013 Detroit Lions free agency tracker