It looks like Desmond Trufant’s brief time in Detroit is over.
Lions have informed starting CB Desmond Trufant that he will be released at the start of the league this year later this month, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2021
Trufant didn’t have a fantastic season in 2020. He only appeared in six games, and when he was on the field, he wasn’t very effective. However, on a cheap deal, would it be worth bringing the former first round pick back to Atlanta?
Trufant was pretty good for his entire Falcons career, but his contract being so large eventually led to Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn parting ways with him. There’s no telling if he would have played as poorly in Atlanta, but it looks like cutting ties was the right decision. His Pro Bowl 2015 season and excellent 2016 earned him a five-year, $68.5 million extension in 2017. He was cut last offseason after a career-high four interceptions. Ironically, the Falcons are still feeling his $5.8 million dead cap hit in 2021. Trufant was only one season into a two year, $21 million deal with the Lions that will also cost them $6.1 million in dead cap.
The former Washington Husky was abysmal in 2020, receiving a 38.4 overall grade from PFF — by far the lowest mark of his career. Given that and his injury history, I would be pretty surprised if the Falcons offered him a contract. However, at the right price, anything is possible. And since many teams will likely be pinching pennies this offseason, Trufant could come dirt cheap and provide excellent value for whoever scoops him up.
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