Lions release TE Jesse James after two underwhelming seasons in Detroit

Jesse James‘ two-year stint in Detroit has come to an end. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Lions have released the veteran tight end. The move will save the team more than $6M over the next two years.

The tight end initially joined the Lions on a four-year, $22.6M deal back in 2019, but he hasn’t come close to matching the (limited) production he displayed during his time with the Steelers. In 32 games (18 starts) over the past two years, James has hauled in 30 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The 26-year-old had cap hits of $6.4M in 2021 and $7.1M in 2022, and the Lions will be left with dead cap hits of $4.2M in 2021 and $5.7M in 2022.

The 2015 fifth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with Pittsburgh, starting 36 totals games. His best season came in 2018 when he hauled in 30 receptions for 423 yards and two scores.

T.J. Hockenson obviously sits atop the Lions' tight ends depth chart, but the team will surely be looking for some reinforcement behind him. Hunter Bryant is the only other tight end under contract for the 2021 campaign.