Lions Willing To Allow Ndamokung Suh To Test The Open Market?

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media expects Lions DT Ndamokung Suh to test free agent market in the coming months.

Rapoport adds that the Lions want him back and are “very much in the mix” to bring him back next year. But their plan, according to Rapoport, is to allow Suh to reach the open market and field offers from other teams before coming back to them with the offers he receives.

Rapoport, citing sources close to Suh, mentions that he wants to go plan in a big city where he can be a “rock star.”

Meanwhile, Mike Silver predicts that Suh will end up signing with a new team, even if he receives offers worth less than he’s asking for in free agency.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this past weekend that the belief around the NFL is that the Lions will not use their franchise tag on Suh, which fits with the idea of allowing him to field offers from interested teams.

Detroit is obviously in a difficult position seeing as it would run Detroit $26.9 million to franchise Suh in the coming weeks.

It’s worth mentioning that Lions GM Martin Mayhew didn’t rule out the idea of using the franchise tag on him, despite the huge cap hit they would incur.

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. 2 player in our Top 50 – 2015 Free Agents List.