Detroit Lions: 7 players who could be gone in 2018
By Zac Snyder
Ziggy Ansah
After posting a 14.5 sack season with 33 quarterback hits in 2015, Ziggy Ansah has just 11 sacks and 27 hits on opposing quarterbacks in the 26 games he’s played over the last two seasons.
Like with Eric Ebron, the Lions could defer a major decision on Ansah a year by using the franchise tag on him over the offseason. That would come at a bigger price tag than Ebron’s fifth-year option but would give another year to see if Ansah can stay healthy and return to his 2015 form that made him look like a star in the making.
Without the franchise tag or a long-term deal with the Lions, Ansah will be headed for unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins in March. With pass rushers always at a premium on the free agent market and plenty of teams with salary cap space to burn, Ansah may be able to find himself a deal the Lions are unwilling to match.
Then again, defensive end will be a team need regardless of what happens with Ansah so how the Lions play the situation with him will be one of the most interesting storylines to follow this offseason. Having Matthew Stafford’s contract extension done means the Lions don’t have to worry about using the franchise tag on him. That keeps it free for use on Ansah if they desire, and they have the cap room to absorb the money that results.