ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that former Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson is signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Wilson was drafted by the Patriots in 2012 and after four years in New England, he entered free agency. Bob Quinn had also left the Patriots that offseason and one of the first moves he made as Lions general manager was to sign Wilson to a two-year contract.
Wilson started at strong safety for the Lions during the 2016 and 2017 season, then signed another two year deal with the team in 2018, but this time shifting to a reserve safety role on coach Matt Patricia’s scheme.
2018 was a bit of a subdued year for Wilson, sitting behind Glover Quin, Quandre Diggs, and the emerging Tracy Walker on the depth chart. But with Quin retiring that offseason, and the Lions trading away Diggs early in 2019, Wilson was elevated back into the starting lineup and was one of the more vocal leaders on a young defense.
Wilson is a solid NFL player and despite being 30-years-old should still have several productive years left in his playing days, but his future in Detroit ended due to the team focusing on youth at the position. Walker is established as one of the Lions leaders, the team traded for Duron Harmon to play single-high, and 2019 third-round pick Will Harris plays the same box/slot safety position as Wilson, essentially squeezing him out of a roster spot.
Wilson was always a highly respected person on and off the field during his time in Detroit and two days ago he took to social media to say a thoughtful goodbye message to Lions’ organization and city:
Thank you Detroit! Appreciate all of the relationships made over the past 4 years on the field & in the community. Nothing but love for the @Lions organization & the city. ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/7kDe3tpX5V
— Tavon Wilson (@tavonwilson) August 9, 2020
We at Lions Wire wish Wilson the best of luck with the Colts.