NFL teams
Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Lions get LB Jonathan Bostic from Patriots for conditional draft pick

NFL, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions

Bob Quinn has made his first trade as the Detroit Lions' general manager, and it involves the team he came from.

The Lions acquired linebacker Jonathan Bostic from the New England Patriots on Monday for a conditional seventh-round choice in 2017.

Bostic, 25, was a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2013 out of Florida. He played two seasons with the Bears and then spent the majority of last season with New England after the Patriots acquired him in a trade.

In all, Bostic played in 40 games, making 140 tackles with two sacks and one interception.

The trade for Bostic could portend the release of veteran linebacker Stephen Tulloch.

The Lions had told Tulloch in February he was not in their plans for the 2016 season, then held on to him throughout the start of the league year, the typical free-agency period and the NFL draft. Detroit even paid Tulloch a $500,000 bonus that was due in March.

Quinn, the Patriots' former director of pro scouting, said at the owners meetings there was a contractual issue with Tulloch but declined to say more. He declined to give an update on Tulloch's status after last month's NFL draft.

On Friday, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell declined to give an update on Tulloch's status as well.

Bostic will compete with Josh Bynes, Kyle Van Noy, Zaviar Gooden, Khaseem Greene, Jerry Franklin and fifth-round pick Antwione Williams for a roster spot.

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