Barring an unforeseen extension, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will likely become an unrestricted free agent once his contract voids shortly after the Super Bowl. The only semi-realistic option for the Lions to keep Suh in town is to place the franchise tag on him. However, that would cost the team upwards of $26 million in salary cap, an astronomical figure for one player.
That number grows even more intimidating when you remember the huge chunks of cap space being allocated to quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Tying up so much money into just three players would significantly hinder Detroit's ability to address other holes on the roster. Yet Lions general manager Martin Mayhew still wouldn't rule the move out completely on Thursday.
"At any cost? No, I wouldn't say that. He certainly is a big priority for us," Mayhew said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Mayhew continued that the team will explore all options for keeping Suh in a Lions uniform next year. However, he wouldn't commit 100 percent to any possible solution.
Mayhew said that he touched base with Suh's representatives on Monday, though he did not reveal when official negotiations would begin. If Suh and the Lions cannot come to terms on a new long-term deal, it is still highly unlikely that the team would use the franchise tag on him. Instead, Lions fans would just have to be resigned to the fact that Suh will be playing in another city for the 2015 season.
