Detroit Lions free agency predictions: Ziggy Ansah
By Zac Snyder
Why he could stay
Very simply, Ansah could be headed for a return just as long as the Lions want him to return. It usually takes two sides to agree to a deal but that goes out the window considering Ansah is a candidate for the franchise tag.
It would be expensive – about $17 million – but it would be just a one-year commitment. Defensive end is a premium defensive position and with that comes a premium price tag.
Kerry Hyder and Anthony Zettel have been pleasant surprises for the Lions in each of the last two seasons but neither brings the kind of top-end talent of Ansah. Moving on from Ansah without a solid replacement plan isn’t a plan at all. And while Matt Patricia is known for doing more with less and maximizing the talent of his players as the defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, it would seem prudent to not strip the cupboard bare as he settles in as a first time head coach.
Of course, a longer-term deal remains a possibility. Bob Quinn has made a habit of re-signing and extending the contracts of other core players and Ansah would qualify as one on the defensive line. The franchise tag could also be used as leverage to keep Ansah off the open market while hoping to eventually reach an agreement on a multi-year deal.
Ansah showed at the end of 2017 that he is still a disruptive player when healthy. As long as the Lions feel confident in his ability to stay healthy, the reasons for keeping Ansah outweigh the reasons to let him walk in free agency. It would take big money but that’s what talented pass rushers command.