The Saints didn’t tender defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker a contract as a restricted free agent.
The Lions, however, were more than happy to sign him as an unrestricted free agent.
Detroit announced Thursday it had reached a one-year deal with Walker, who recorded 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks for New Orleans in 2014.
According to Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo, who cited agent Sean Kiernan, Walker received a $1.75 million deal from Detroit. That’s roughly $200,000 more than Walker would have received if he were given the right-of-first-refusal tender by New Orleans.
A fourth-year pro from Tulsa, Walker (6-3, 294) joins a Detroit interior line that lost Ndamukong Suh and looks poised to move on without Nick Fairley. The Lions have countered by trading for Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata. And now, they have added Walker, who turns 25 next week.
Time will tell how the Lions’ defensive line decisions work out, but Walker surely can’t have any qualms with the Saints’ decision to non-tender him, for he found the low RFA tender was actually below his market value.
