Yet another Detroit Lions defender is leaving via free agency. As first reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Lions defensive end Tyrus Wheat is signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Per Aaron Wilson, it’s a one-year deal worth $1,755,000.
Wheat will rejoin the Cowboys—where his NFL career started in 2023 after going undrafted—following just 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 to play in 15 games with the Lions as a rotational edge player. He played a total of just 66 defensive snaps, earned 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks over that time. With that limited playing time, PFF gave him an 82.3 overall grade, mostly bolstred by a strong game against the Buccaneers (1.5 sacks on just nine snaps).
Detroit has plenty of work to do in their defensive line room as free agency rolls on. With Wheat gone—and both Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad facing free agency—the Lions have just 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 talent to the group, and some depth, to fill out the room.
We’re tracking all of the Lions’ free agency news and rumors here. You can also take a look at every position-by-position depth chart with our 2026 contract tracker. Finally, don’t miss our 2026 offseason tracker to see a full recap of Detroit’s offseason adds and losses.
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