CHICAGO - OCTOBER 04: Julian Peterson #59 of the Detroit Lions looks at the replay board during a game against the Chicago Bears on October 4, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 48-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Jonathan Daniel
Due $7.5 million after an unremarkable season in Detroit, linebacker Julian Peterson, 32, looked likely to get cut by the Lions entering the offseason.
At the very least, a restructured deal seemed possible.
Well, we’ve hit May and it doesn’t look like Peterson is going anywhere, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press. G.M. Martin Mayhew says Peterson is “the kind of player who’s going to be an even better player when he gets better players around him.”
To that end, the Lions have said goodbye to linebackers Larry Foote and Ernie Sims, while bringing in great depth on the defensive line. Two second-year players, Zach Follett and DeAndre Levy, are slated to start next to Peterson at linebacker.
The contract talks have died down.
“As far as I know, they just had a nice conversation,” Peterson said. “I’m still here. We’ll see. I want to stay here.”
Lions fans have reason to be optimistic this season, but there remain a ton of questions regarding the back seven of the team’s defense. It looks don’t want to raise more uncertainty by dumping Peterson, no matter what he’s scheduled to make.
