How Lions Could Add $10 Million in Salary-Cap Space

Is it time to move on from offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai?

The Detroit Lions will have some difficult roster decisions as they continue their rebuilding process. 

Heading into the offseason, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes has approximately $16 million in cap space to work with. 

By cutting veterans, the team could add nearly $30 million in space, to potentially sign free agents and build upon last year's winning season. 

ESPN recently predicted offseason moves for all 32 NFL teams. 

For the Lions, writer Bill Barnwell explores three potential cuts the team could make to add a significant amount of cap space to improve the team. 

Barnell explained, "Former Eagles utility lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai was signed by the prior Lions regime to start at tackle, but he spent his time in Detroit at guard and never impressed. Vaitai missed all of 2022 after undergoing back surgery, and while the Lions need someone to play right guard, it probably won't be Vaitai. Designating him as a post-June 1 release would generate about $9.5 million in savings."

During the 2022 season, the Lions did restructure the veteran lineman's contract in order to add $2.42 million in cap space.

Vaitai, who was placed on injured reserve with a back injury, had surgery in September following training camp. 

The talented lineman appeared in 16 games during the 2021 season, and was expected to start at right guard in 2022, before suffering an injury in the preseason finale against the Steelers. 

Barnwell also predicted the team will move on from veterans Michael Brockers and Romeo Okwara, which would put Detroit in a very advantageous position in relation to the salary cap.