The Detroit Lions brought Geoff Schwartz in during free agency to be the veteran offensive lineman who could potentially play multiple positions for the franchise this year.
And on Monday, the team decided to release Schwartz a few months after signing him. Schwartz confirmed this on his Twitter account Monday morning soon after the Detroit Free Press reported it.
Thanks to the @Lions organization for everything. Enjoyed my time... On to the next opportunity.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 29, 2016
The 30-year-old Schwartz ended up in a tough numbers position with the Lions after Detroit drafted three offensive linemen this year in left tackle Taylor Decker, center Graham Glasgow and guard/tackle Joe Dahl.
The drafting of Dahl – and Dahl’s subsequent ability to pick up the offense – started to push Schwartz down the depth chart. Then on Saturday against Baltimore, Schwartz did not play at all. It likely didn’t help Schwartz, either, that the franchise traded receiver Jeremy Kerley to San Francisco for guard/tackle Brandon Thomas on Sunday.
The Lions signed Schwartz after he spent two seasons with the Giants, starting 13 games. He has also played with Kansas City, Minnesota and Carolina during his career.
He is the third notable veteran free agent signed by Bob Quinn during his first free-agency period to be released or traded before the end of the preseason. Kerley was traded Sunday, and running back Stevan Ridley was released last week. Ridley has since signed with Indianapolis.
The Lions need to get down to 75 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
