Detroit Lions Release Levi Onwuzurike and Tyre West

The Den
1

Onwuzurike’s Final Opportunity Ends Abruptly

Detroit selected Onwuzurike in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but injuries repeatedly interrupted his development.

The most frustrating example came last season. After generating 45 quarterback pressures with a 12.5 percent pass-rush win rate in 2024, Onwuzurike missed all of 2025 after suffering a torn ACL. Detroit entered this summer viewing him as a potential wild card along a defensive front that had become significantly deeper, according to the team’s 2026 defensive-line training camp preview.

The possibility of Detroit eventually moving on had already been examined earlier this offseason, particularly because the contract that rolled into 2026 carried relatively little financial risk for the Lions.

He survived final cuts anyway. Detroit’s initial 53-man roster included Onwuzurike in an unusually deep defensive-line group.

Less than two weeks later, that evaluation changed.

2 Likes
2

That’s gotta be the quickest we’ve moved on from
Any of Brads draft picks so far right

Re : West 7th rounder

3

so did we ever figure out whether it was “ty-ree” or “ tire”?

4

Soon to be reTYREd

2 Likes
5

It’s not funny, but I laughed quite a bit.

4 Likes
6

.

I think this article is a bit presumptuous.

Final opportunity? Evaluation changed?

Or… as others mentioned in the previous thread on this same topic… this move is quite possibly just some salary cap gymnastics.

2 Likes
7

Just announced that Amon and Penei were restructured to same $30M
Combine the timing of this and letting Levi go to open a roster spot
:thinking:

1 Like
8

Be nice. Getting cut would make anyone feel deflated.

6 Likes
9

Frustrated Season 3 GIF by The Simpsons

10

Yea very hot takey there.

My guess is cap gymnastics. They must have figured he would be scooped up if they cut him last week. vs now.

And hes not injured because theres no injury designation

Unless they are making a trade for a big time DL and thats why the cap space change. But who knows.

1 Like
11

Pretty sure they will resign Levi on Monday to 53

And then resign West to PS

Tyree West gets the weekend off to go to a wedding & watch his old team play Ga Tech

Idk dude only started what 2 games in 4 years at college

2 Likes
12

I hope he bounces back - he’s not exactly a retread.

3 Likes
13

I was really hoping he would have a Goodyear. Maybe he can console himself by trying one of Detroit’s Michelin star restaurants.

2 Likes
14

He was let go for misalignment

1 Like
15

He was a little flat in training camp…

and this week is when the rubber meets the road.

He might have a chance to get back on the PS… hopefully he doesn’t tired of it… or feels like he is just spinning his wheels there. If he doesn’t improve, he might just end up as a burn out.

16

Not the first Tyre to lose to a Michigan pothole. Won’t be the last.

17

https://x.com/davebirkett/status/2098864941075722341?s=46

5 Likes
18

As we suspected, it’s some roster juggling going on.

2 Likes
19

Still, it’s a shot across the bow. Levi’s value has dropped, significantly.

1 Like
20

They elevated Stille.

So they’re really going into the game tomorrow w/no backup center except Ratledge?

I Bet Ace Ventura GIF