Dean Marlowe is an unrestricted free agent, and he has seemingly hinted as his looming depature from the Lions.
Safety is on the list of offseason needs for the Detroit Lions, with Tracy Walker and Dean Marlowe as notable possible free agent exits at the position. As the Lions seemingly work on a deal with Walker, Marlowe has seemed to tease his upcoming departure.
Marlowe signed with the Lions in 2021. He finished last season with a clear career-high 67 total tackles, as he played in 16 games and made nine starts for Detroit.
Marlowe landed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and he made their 53-man roster. After two seasons there, with a partial year on Buffalo’s practice squad in 2017, he spent the 2018-2020 seasons with the Bills–with 24 game appearances and six starts over the latter two campaigns along with two interceptions in 2020.
The Lions seeking reinforcements at safety means Dean Marlowe will be gone
As the Lions seek upgrades/reinforcements at safety this offseason, via free agency or the draft along with an effort to keep Walker, Marlowe seemed likely to be gone as a free agent.
Marlowe will surely find an opportunity elsewhere, mostly likely as a backup and special teamer and not a starting safety. If the Lions had re-signed him, which while not official one way or the other sure looks like it won’t be happening and he’s been told as much based on his social media post, he likely would have ended up battling for a roster spot with no promises. Another team may give him a clearer shot to be on the active roster going into next season.
In many ways, Marlowe is a player who perfectly fits the culture Dan Campbell is trying to embed in Detroit—an underdog and a battler who’ll do anything for the team. But he’s subject to a looming numbers game/talent upgrade at safety for the Lions, so it’s simply on to the next team.