Stephen Tulloch, one of the NFL’s leaders in tackles last season while the starting middle linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, has signed a one-year free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.
The deal reportedly was worth $3.25 million.
In Detroit, Tulloch will be a veteran leader on a young defense that includes second-year standout lineman Ndamukong Suh, first-round pick Nick Fairley, veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch and pass-rush specialist Cliff Avril.
In 2010, Tulloch finished with 159 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He was second in the NFL with 159 tackles, behind only Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots.
Tulloch played for Lions coach Jim Schwartz when he was the Titans’ defensive coordinator, so knows the Detroit defensive system already.
“When the free-agency period started, and Coach Schwartz called me, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. It was really a no-brainer,” Tulloch, who also received a recruiting pitch from former Titans teammate Vanden Bosch, said.