Lions Only Willing To Retain S Louis Delmas On A Short-Term Contract?

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Detroit Lions would like to retain S Louis Delmas, but probably on a short term contract.

Delmas was mentioned as a candidate for the team’s franchise tag, but GM Martin Mayhew ruled out any chance of using the designation this offseason.

Birkett adds that the Lions would prefer a short-term that paid him less annually than the $6.8 million that he would receive under the franchise tag.

Delmas, 25, has missed 13 games over the last tw0 seasons due to injuries. The Lions clearly need help in their secondary, so it would be tough for them to part with their best defensive back this offseason.

We have Delmas listed as the No. 42 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.