Lions new HC Jim Caldwell told reporters on Sunday that he remains confident that they will be able to sign DT Ndamukong Suh to a contract extension.
“Absolutely,” Caldwell said, via ESPN.com. “I’m always optimistic. I think you know me by now and I think without question they are working at it, and I think something will be done at the appropriate time.”
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported a few days ago that the Lions are not optimistic about signing Suh to a new contract.
Mortensen mentioned that if the Lions are unable to work out an agreement before next season, it would cost them a staggering $26.7 million to franchise him.
Caldwell still isn’t worried about the situation and cited his previous experience with other players who were in a similar contractual situation.
“I’m not worried about it in that regard because Tom and obviously Martin and ownership will get that taken care of, and I’ve been through it a few times,” Caldwell said. “I’ve been through it with Peyton [Manning], and I’ve been through it most recently with [Joe] Flacco and so there’s a number of guys that are going through that throughout the league and our team is no different.”
Suh, 27, entering the final year of his rookie deal and is in a great position to secure a huge contract extension that will once again set the bar even higher for the defensive tackle position. Suh stands to make $11.55 million for the 2014 season and has a massive cap figure of $22.4 million, so a new contract would easily offer them some cap relief.
Detroit has said previously that they are optimistic that a deal will eventually get done with Suh, but there has been little reported progress throughout the offseason.
Last year, 48 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble for Detroit. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the league last season.
We have Suh listed as the No. 2 player in our Top 25 – 2015 Free Agents List.
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Kicking the cap relief down the road would be counterproductive…. If the intention was to stay the contract would already be done, the Lions could be seeking a trade for a RB with 4.4 speed or something similar like a trade for a quality outside CB and that chance has already come and gone….One more proven veteran WR would have looked good in the stable…. all of these things are tied to one single contract and when it’s gone there will be several positions filled that outweighs the benefits of one….