Detroit Lions: 8 Players who could be gone in 2019
By Zac Snyder
T.J. Lang
Another player who has been the subject of some retirement speculation is guard T.J. Lang. Bob Quinn’s quest to remake the Lions’ offensive line took a big step when he signed Lang as a free agent prior to the 2017 season. It not only brought an Pro Bowl level player to the Lions’ offensive line but took one away from the rival Packers. Two birds, one stone.
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Unfortunately, the move hasn’t been entirely successful. It’s not that Lang hasn’t been good — he has been…when he has been in the lineup. Lang’s 2017 season was 13 games and his 2018 season ended with just six games played. It’s been a myriad of injuries, including a nasty concussion in Dallas, leaving some fans to wonder if Lang would be better off calling it a career.
Even if Lang wants to keep playing, do the Lions want to let the last year of Lang’s deal play out after their experience with Ziggy Ansah? Then again, the Lions offensive line remains a work in progress even before having to consider replacing Lang on a full time basis.
A better solution may be a reworked contract that converts some 2019 salary into per game roster bonuses. If Lang is healthy, he would lose nothing and the Lions keep a solid piece of their offensive line. If not, the Lions get some cap relief. Trying to get a healthy season out of Lang doesn’t keep the Lions from adding needed depth and making provisions for the future is prudent anyway considering Lang has just one year left on his contract.
Lang is set to count about $11.5 million against the cap for the 2019 season but $8,843,750 would be cleared if they moved on.