Detroit Lions free agency predictions: Haloti Ngata
By Zac Snyder
The prediction
I may be influenced by what I would do instead of this being an unbiased prediction but it makes too much sense for the Lions to re-sign Ngata to a one-year deal. His experience will be valuable as the team transitions to a new coaching staff and new defensive philosophies.
Not only has Ngata commented on wanting to continue playing, he made those comments specific to playing in Detroit. He wasted no time jumping into his new community after the trade from Baltimore and I see no reason for their not to be mutual interest in a return and no big stumbling blocks, internal or external, to keep that from happening.
If it means carrying an extra defensive lineman on the regular season roster, so be it, especially if it comes at the expense of an offensive roster spot. As the Lions move to less of a scheme-based defense and more of a personnel/matchup-based defense, more personnel means more options for Patricia to deploy in stopping opposing offenses.
Ngata admitted that he might more seriously consider retirement this offseason if he had gotten through last season healthy. A one-year deal might be the perfect swan song to finish his career while helping see the Lions defense through an important transition.
Next: Predicting what will happen with Ziggy Ansah
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