With his contract set to expire next month, Ndamukong Suh could become one of the most highly sought-after free agents in recent years. But on Sunday, Lions president Tom Lewand expressed optimism that the star defensive tackle will stay in Detroit.
Lions president says ‘very good chance’ Ndamukong Suh remains in Detroit
Tom Lewand expressed optimism that the star defensive tackle won’t bolt in free agency.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
“He wants to have success in the NFL, obviously, but he wants to do that with us,” Lewand told the Detroit Free Press. “And I think that -- I think there’s a very, very good chance that we can get something done with him in the next few weeks.”
Suh's rookie contract expires on Friday and he'll become an unrestricted free agent market on March 10. The Lions would like to lock him down with a long term contract before that happens -- once he hits the open market, the chances of bringing him back take a steep dip.
Both sides have expressed the desire for a reunion, but the deal hinges on dollar signs. Suh has said he wants to be the highest-paid defender in the league -- more than J.J. Watt's six-year, $100 million deal. As things stand now, the Lions will have about $18 million in open salary cap, depending on what the final 2015 cap number is. But Lewand says he's not worried about being able to afford Suh.
“We plan really well looking out into the future and where our salary cap goes,” Lewand said. “I think we can do that. I have no doubt that we can do that with Ndamukong, make him a continuing part of the core of our football team, and that’s what that’s all about in this league is identifying those core players and building around those guys. And there’s no doubts that there’s trade outs that have to happen along the way. You can’t keep everybody because it is a hard cap, but if you have a good nucleus of guys, then that draft every year comes through and you can keep adding good players to the mix.”
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