SAD NEWS: Detroit Lions lose linebacker Anthony Pittman To free agency.
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman has signed with the Washington CommandersAnthony Pittman, a former Detroit Lions linebacker, is leaving the team after five seasons. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the special teamer will sign with the Washington Commanders.
Given Pittman’s ties to Detroit, this development is somewhat shocking. Pittman was born in Michigan and went to Wayne State. He had signed multiple deals with the Lions previously, opting to stay at home over other options.
Pittman was also popular with the Lions. While they chose not to offer Pittman a restricted free agency tender, which would have cost them $2.985 million, they were apparently attempting to strike an agreement with him, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“The Lions also do not plan to tender linebacker Anthony Pittman a contract, but are working on a deal to bring him back for 2023 [sic],” Birkett wrote in a last-minute article.
It’s hardly surprising that the Commanders are interested in Pittman, given that former Lions senior director of player personnel Lance Newmark is now Washington’s new assistant general manager.
While the loss of a special teamer is not to be forgotten, the Lions’ linebacking corps remains rather stable. Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and Malcolm Rodriguez are all capable of playing defence, and all but Barnes have contracts for at least the next two seasons.
Pittman appeared in 52 games for the Lions over five seasons, starting two, and totaled 28 tackles, one pass defensed, and three quarterback hits. No player has played more special teams snaps for the Lions in the last two seasons.
