Tom Lewand Confident Detroit Lions Will Sign Ndamukong Suh

This off-season is mainly about Ndamukong Suh and there are question’s about whether Detroit Lion‘s all-pro defensive tackle will leave Detroit for another team in free agency.

With the season concluding on Super Bowl Sunday, Lions president Tom Lewand spoke on WDIV Detroit’s Flash Point that morning and said,

"“There’s a very good chance we sign Suh, we always thing long-term with the cap in mind. This can get done.”“There’s a very good chance we sign Suh, we always thing long-term with the cap in mind. This can get done.”"

Fox Sports Detroit reported that same day a deal could be done in the next coming weeks.

If the Lions do come to a deal with Suh, what could be done to sign Suh without crippling the teams salary cap next year?

Detroit Lions

Possible Cuts: 

Stephen Tulloch – Tulloch injured his knee against the Green Bay Packers, in his absence Tahir Whitehead took over and excelled in Tulloch’s absence.

Next year, Tulloch is projected to make 4.5 Million dollars, and if the Lions cut Tulloch 2.6M would go against the cap meaning the Lions would cut 1.9M dollars of cap roughly.

Chance of Stephen Tulloch cut: Likely

Reggie Bush – Bush was another Lion who was plagued by injuries, Bush played in eleven games and didn’t even get over 300 yards on the season.

Next year, Bush is projected to make 3.5 Million Dollars. If cut before July 1st the Lions would have 3.5 go against the cap, If cut after July 1st it would be 1.7M.

Chance of Reggie Bush getting cut? Highly likely

Jason Jones – Jones was healthy and played great this year, but that’s not the problem the Lions have in mind. Jones is owed 3.1 million dollars.

The Lions face a hard decision. If the Lions cut Jones they’d only owe him 833 thousand dollars.

Chance of Jones getting cut? Low

Calvin Johnson – ESPN reported the Lions signing Suh would mean Calvin Johnson would be cut. Calvin Johnson isn’t going anywhere and here is why.

If the Lions cut Calvin Johnson in 2016 it wouldn’t make much sense financially. In 2016 the cap is projected to go up. If the Lions went and cut Calvin in 2016 like ESPN claims, the problem Johnson is owed 15.9 million dollars, Lions cut would be 12.9 M before July 1st, after 8M it wouldn’t make sense for the Lions to cut Calvin Johnson in 2016.

If at any point he gets cut, which is severely doubted amongst Lions sources it would be in 2019.

Chance of Calvin getting cut? Negative.

Possible Restructures: 

Calvin Johnson has been vocal by saying he is willing to restructure to keep Suh in Detroit, Stafford mirrors Calvin Johnson. Both are possible chances of restructures.

Is Suh willing to leave Detroit? 

Sources I’ve talked to have said Ndamukong Suh has been thinking about leaving Detroit. But Suh likes what the Lions have and loves the Lions chances moving forward.

Earlier in the season there was mixed messages behind sources what Suh was actually thinking, and most believe the Lions success really altered Suh’s decision.

Is it a done deal Suh to Detroit? Not quite, ultimately what it’s going to come down too, Is does Suh get the financial commitment from the Lions he feels he deserves?

Detroit Lions organization has been vocal that Detroit is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Suh in a Lions uniform in the future. Its Suh’s decision is what he wants to do. He obviously has a lot invested in the Detroit area and from back channels it’s been clear that Suh is highly valued by the Lions front office.

We should know more relatively soon be sure to stay up to date with Detroit Jock City.