Tracy Walker: Still 'Unfinished Business' in Detroit
There’s no doubt about it now, 27-year-old safety Tracy Walker III will remain a member of the Detroit Lions' roster for the foreseeable future.
Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, there were some questions about whether the Louisiana product would don Detroit’s uniform.
He was in a contract year, and skeptics pondered the need to bring him back at a significant asking price.
In the end, Lions general manager Brad Holmes elected to bring back the fourth-year pro on a three-year, $25 million contract.
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With his return, Walker is ready to deal with some "unfinished business."
“I feel like Detroit was the best place for me to come back to,” Walker said. “I feel like I have unfinished business here. I’m ready to continue to build on it.”
The 27-year-old said he had other interested parties, but elected to return to the Lions for a variety of reasons. Among those was the coaching staff, which underwent a culture shift with the hiring of head coach Dan Campbell in 2021.
“The coaching staff played a very huge role in me coming back,” Walker said. “Wanted to be back with my teammates, as well. I just see where everything is going here. Me being here my first three years and just going through what I went through, seeing what these (coaches) came in with last year, the momentum they brought with them, the ideas and the leadership, that made me want to stick around and be part of it.”
The veteran safety was asked about the team potentially adding another safety in the draft. With Detroit holding the No. 2 overall pick, the team could potentially add a talented defensive player like Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton with its first selection.
“I feel like that’s not for me to worry about,” Walker said. “I’m just happy I’m back as one of the top safeties. Brad (Holmes) and them, they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do, and I let them handle what they’ve got to handle. I’m just happy I’m back, and I’m ready to lead my guys. If it’s Kyle Hamilton, hey, I have someone else to play with. But, I ain’t too much worried about that.”
Walker enjoyed a productive 2021 season under the new regime, totaling 108 tackles, six passes defensed and an interception in 15 games. Now, he wants to help the team improve upon its 3-13-1 mark.
The culture change installed by the coaches appears to hold weight among the players.
This Lions team, led by Walker, appears ready to break the losing curse that the organization has dealt with for so long.
“I believe in everything these guys stand for and what they’re all about,” Walker said. “We’re all on the same agenda, we all want to win. I’ve been here four years, I’m tired of losing. Coaches feel the same mentality, seeing Detroit be a laughingstock in the NFL. So, that’s the confidence, right there. I see where it needs to be at, man, and we’re only a couple plays away. That’s been proven. I feel like we’re on the come-up. I’m not gong to sit here like I’m a genie or anything. But, I’m very confident in what we’re bringing this year.”
