In a move stirring the pot of the NFL's free agency, former Detroit Lions standout on special teams, linebacker Anthony Pittman, has inked a deal with the Washington Commanders. Details on the agreement remain under wraps, but this signals a strategic addition for the Commanders who seem to be collecting former Lions personnel like rare baseball cards this offseason.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network was first to broadcast the switch, marking another departure from the Motor City to the nation's political hub. The move reunites Pittman with Commanders' assistant general manager Lance Newmark, formerly of the Detroit Lions senior director of player personnel, clearly grounding Washington's growing Midwestern roots. The Commanders announced the acquisition without revealing the financial digits tacked onto the contract.
Having not received a restricted free agency tender from the Lions, Pittman's transition to Washington marks an end to a noteworthy stint with his home-state team. According to Pride of Detroit, the Lions expressed interest in keeping the Michigan native, with reporter Dave Birkett stating, "The Lions also do not plan to tender linebacker Anthony Pittman a contract, but are working on a deal to bring him back for 2023," a negotiation that ultimately did not materialize into a return.
As a point of pride for the local fans, Pittman, who graduated from Birmingham Groves and honed his skills at Wayne State, joined the Lions in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. Making a homely impression, he played in all 17 games for the Lions in the last three seasons, solidifying his value with a dedication that saw him on the field for 80% of Detroit's special-teams snaps in 2023, as reported by The Detroit News.
While the departure of Pittman might seem a blow to the Lions' special teams unit, they have earlier shown their commitment to fortifying this faction by extending All-Pro Jalen Reeves-Maybin on a lucrative contract. The Commanders, on the other hand, signal their intent to beef up their defensive depth and special teams might with this signing, striving for an edge in the upcoming gridiron battles.
