Lions Willing To Use Franchise Tag On DT Ndamukong Suh

Lions GM Martin Mayhew discussed their plans for impending free agent DT Ndamukong Suh on Thursday.

The most notable comment from Mayhew was that he confirmed they are willing to apply their franchise tag to Suh in order to keep him in Detroit for another year, per Dave Birkett.

Mayhew said that they will have to “step up financially” in order to retain Suh, but he also wouldn’t commit to keeping Suh at any cost.

The Lions have already been in contact with Suh’s agent, Jimmy Sexton. However, Mayhew wouldn’t comment on negotiations between the two parties.

It’s interesting to hear that applying the franchise tag to Suh is an option for the Lions seeing as it would run them $26.9 million to do so.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports recently reported there are as many as 10 NFL teams prepared to make “titanic pitches” to Suh if he were to reach the open market.

This level of interest would likely force the Lions overpay Suh in order to prevent him from fielding offers of interested teams.

Robinson’s source specifically mentioned that cap-rich teams like the Jaguars, Browns, Raiders, and Jets are expected to be among the interested team’s in Suh this offseason. The Falcons could also be a team to keep an eye on.

Suh, 27, has recorded 51 tackles, 8.5 sacks and three pass defenses over the course of 16 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the league.

We have Suh ranked as the No. 1 player in our Top 50 – 2015 Free Agents List.