At the end of the 2015 season, one of the first decisions by new general manager Bob Quinn was to move on from veteran starter 55 MLB Stephen Tulloch. Although Tulloch remained on the roster through early July, it was known well in advance of free agency and the draft that the Lions would need a new starter in the middle. Many fans expected 59 LB Tahir Whitehead, who had started most of the 2014 season after the discount double check incident, would be the new starter. A couple of things clouded the picture:
- Tahir Whitehead did not receive a new deal prior to free agency, and became an unrestricted free agent.