Neither of these moves comes unexpected. Mathis ended his third season in Detroit on injured reserve and had showed serious signs of decline at age 35, well beyond the age where cornerbacks normally hang up the cleats. Bell was due $2.5M as a part-time, 30-year-old running back who didn’t play special teams.
Even so, this served as a reminder these Lions are not the Same Old Lions we’ve come to know and love…to hate. Those Lions would have held onto Bell out of loyalty. He’s a fan favorite, a local product done very well for himself by overcoming odds to become the vocal leader of the offense.