HOLY COW! Why is this guy suddenly a FA?!?!
 

After the draft and after intial rookie signing, Max Starks is suddenly a FA. There is no note of him being released by Pittsburgh but sure enough, a 96 RT is free for the taking.

Is this normal or is this a bug of some sort? It's strange he is not listed as being released.

I'd bet that was the end of his rookie contract. Why they didn't re-sign him, I don't know. Maybe they are way over the cap?

But this was AFTER the draft. He was not available before the draft as a FA.

Right... he was a Restricted Free Agent, meaning Pittsburgh had full rights to him during the 1st Free Agency. However, they chose not to resign him, making him available for the Late Free Agency.

Ah, right. I missed you saying "restricted." Thanks. I lost out on him only to find out that a division rival signed him. Oh, and my 1st round pick still hasn't signed with me going into training camp.

To be the GM of the Lions...

I'd check their cap numbers, I think this is probably a money situation, just like I run into all the time, occasionally you do have to release a great player because he wants crazy money and you don't have it. Now if he isn't signed during late free agency, that's when I get worried about a bug.

Agree with Peregrine.. as I would assume if they had the money, they would have franchised him.

Or he was franchised and they didn't have the cap room after the draft to keep him.