NFL free agency: Detroit Lions lose EDGE Tyrus Wheat to Cowboys

Yet one other Detroit Lions defender is leaving through free company. As first reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Lions defensive finish Tyrus Wheat is signing a one-year cope with the Dallas Cowboys. Per Aaron Wilson, it is a one-year deal price $1,755,000.

Wheat will rejoin the Cowboys—the place his NFL profession began in 2023 after going undrafted—following only a single season with Detroit. The Lions claimed Wheat off of waivers after the 26-year-old defensive lineman failed to make the Cowboys’ 53-man roster. Wheat would go on to play in 15 video games with the Lions as a rotational edge participant. He performed a complete of simply 66 defensive snaps, earned 15 tackles, one deal with for loss and 1.5 sacks over that point. With that restricted enjoying time, PFF gave him an 82.3 general grade, principally bolstered by a robust sport towards the Buccaneers (1.5 sacks on simply 9 snaps).

Detroit has loads of work to do of their defensive position room as free company rolls on. With Wheat gone—and each Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad going through free company—the Lions have only a few defensive ends signed for the 2026 season: Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, Tyler Lacy, and Ahmed Hassanein. Expect the Lions to add starting-level expertise to the group, and a few depth, to fill out the room.