GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 08: A detailed view of a Detroit Lions helmet prior to a game \btw at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions are releasing a notable veteran defensive player in a cap-saving move as the offseason commences.

In an Instagram post, standout safety Tracy Walker III bid farewell to Lions fans with a heartwarming message. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler later confirmed that Walker had been released by the Lions:

Walker was pegged as a likely offseason cut candidate by many. His release saves the Lions $5.5 million in cap space, not to mention that Dan Campbell’s squad already had a crowded room of safeties.

A third-round pick of the Lions in 2018 (82nd overall) Walker appeared in 79 games over six seasons. He posted two seasons of 100-plus tackles (2019 and 2021) and tallied three interceptions, 23 pass defenses, two forced fumbles, four sacks and 398 tackles.

Walker’s most productive season came in 2019, when he tallied eight pass defenses, one forced fumble and 103 combined tackles. Though he appeared in all 17 games in 2023, Walker was only a starter for six contests.

Detroit already has two quality starters at safety in Jerry Jacobs and Kerby Joseph, as well as rising star Brian Branch. The latter will likely get more playing time following a stellar rookie year, so it was only fair for Walker to get released and eye a starting job elsewhere.

The Lions are coming off their most successful season in the Super Bowl era, winning 12 games and going all the way to the 2023 NFC Championship Game, where they fell to the San Francisco 49ers.