The Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is a free agent in 2015, and might’ve played his last game as a Detroit Lions. Now the question is whether or not Suh wants to stay in Detroit.
Jim Caldwell said Monday at his press conference on resigning Suh.
"“Well, I can probably answer it this way. That will continue to be one of our highest priorities. That’s going to be addressed constantly here until we come to some conclusion.”"
When Caldwell was asked on possibility of bringing back Suh.
"“There’s no question about it. He’s a dominant, dominant player who we benefit from greatly, from having his services. He’s a tremendous asset to our team and I’ll leave it at that. He’s quite a player.”"
The Lions defense had their best season since 1983 and even with the injuries to Bill Bentley, Stephen Tulloch, Nevin Lawson and Nick Fairley they overcame difficult challenges. There was no doubt the defense is what kept the Lions from going by the way side mainly with how bad the Lions offense played at points this season.
Suh was the anchor of the defense and teammates and mainly Jim Caldwell raved about his ability, mainly Caldwell who compared Suh to Warren Sapp.
The Lions face a tough decision with Ndamukong Suh, but it’s a clear and easy choice – Lions must pay Nadamukong Suh.
Suh could be the highest paid defensive tackle in the game. Most people say he will get more than Tampa Bay’s Gerald McCoy and about the same as Houston Texans JJ Watt if that’s true, Lions can afford to keep Suh long term.
Detroit Lions
JJ Watt’s contract breaks down like this:
2015: 9.9M with 2.0M Dollar signing bonus, Cap Hit – 21.9M
2016: 10.5M with 2.0M Dollar signing bonus, Cap Hit – 12.5M
2017: 10.5M with 2.0M Dollar signing bonus, Cap Hit – 12.5M
2018: 11.0M with 2.0M Dollar signing bonus, Cap Hit – 13.0M
2019: 13.0M with no signing bonus, Cap Hit – 13.0M
2020: 15.5M with no signing bonus, Cap Hit – 15.5M
2021: 17.5M Dollars with no signing bonus, Cap Hit 17.5M
2022: Watt is a Free Agent
With J.J Watt’s contract, it’s front loaded with intensives $21.006M in additional full guarantees by 2016 what that means is the contract takes more cap hit in the early years. It’s goes down significantly in 2016 for Watt.
Suh is owed 9.7M next year regardless if the Lions sign him. The Lions haven’t ruled out a franchise tag for the tackle. With a franchise tag the Lions pay Suh 26.9M Dollars so, the Lions best option is to sign Suh long term.
The Cap Breakdowns by year for Detroit:
2015: 21M Dollars in cap space – Base Salary Cap – 140M
2016: 48M Dollars in Cap Space – Base Salary Cap – 150M
2017: 87.5M Dollars in Cap Space – Base Salary Cap – 160M
2018: 144.4M Dollars in Cap Space – Base Salary Cap – 170M
There’s many things that go into contracts, such as terms back loading and front loading. The Lions can make it work with Ndamukong Suh specifically by backloading the contract. Let’s say Suh wants JJ Watt money, spending 21 million dollars in the first year would hamper the Lions ability to sign any free agents baring restructures.
The NFL cap is projected to go up, right now Suh counts 22 million against the cap. Suh had a tearful press conference after Sunday’s Wild card loss to the Cowboys, but said a lasting quote that might mean he’s leaning towards coming back.
"My group is a hell of a group, it’s phenomenal man this is the closest group I had in 5 years and those dudes each and every single week push and challenge each other it was a lot of fun with those dudes."
The Detroit Lions face the harsh reality, by tabling negotiations with Suh earlier in August they face the risk of Suh hitting the opening market while Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand begin work for 2015, the first step is signing Ndamukong Suh before he gets a chance to hit the opening market.