One of the bigger story lines this offseason involves Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The 28-year-old is scheduled to hit the free-agent market on March 10, but the Lions are hoping to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
Suh, a former second overall pick, is arguably the top defensive player that will be available in the next few weeks and will be a highly sought-after commodity. He wants to be the richest defensive player in the league and it's unknown if the Lions can afford to make that happen, even though Suh said prior to the 2014 season that he wants to remain in Detroit.
The Lions are seemingly doing all they can before March 10 rolls around.
"I have an update on that. It's not done," said Lions' general manager Martin Mayhew, when asked where negotiations stand with the team and Suh, via Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News. "We're still working on it, still very optimistic that we'll be able to get it done. I think we have a lot of the essential elements that we need to get it done in that he's got a scheme that he likes playing in, he's got a passion for the game as you guys know. We have a defense that plays with that kind of passion. He's got a head coach he likes playing for. He's got teammates he likes playing with."
If the two sides can't work out a long-term deal, the Lions still have the option of using the franchise tag on Suh. Such a transaction would cost the team $26.9 million for the 2015 season, but it would at least be a temporary band aid on the negotiations. Detroit would then have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal with Suh before the one-year deal officially came into effect. The non-exclusive franchise tag could be another option because if Suh were to sign with another team that makes a higher offer, then the Lions would get two first round picks in return.
Mayhew said the team is "talking about" the franchise tag, but no decision has been made about whether or not to use it. The Lions have $131 million committed to the 2015 season and the cap is expected to increase to $142 million (according to SpotTrac.com), so it appears they'll have to do some restructuring of other contracts/releasing of players to make room for Suh whether he is tagged or signed to a long-term deal (unless they backload it).
"We're prepared for what it takes financially to get him signed," Mayhew added.