ESPN’s Michael Rothstein is reporting that the Detroit Lions are picking up the exclusive right free agent tender on defensive back/special teams gunner Dee Virgin.
As a tendered exclusive right free agent, Virgin will not be able to enter free agency and can only accept an offer from the Lions — unless they choose to release him.
Because the Lions hold all the leverage in this negotiation, they will likely only offer him a league minimum contract with no guaranteed money, and if Virgin wants to play in the NFL in 2020, he will have to accept the offer.
As one of the Lions starting gunners, this was a no brainer move for the Lions to (likely) retain one of the key members on their special teams. In his 15 games played last season — almost exclusively on special teams — he had 10 tackles and a forced fumble.
The only other player from the Lions 2019 roster that also an exclusive rights free agent is cornerback Mike Ford. We reached out to get an update on Ford’s status, but at this time, there has been no confirmation either way.
