Looks like Ndamukong Suh could become a free agent as the Detroit Lions have decided not to franchise tag the defensive player.
The Detroit Free Press has reported that the news was announced by the team on Monday.
In the end, the Lions decided against applying the tag which would have cost around $26.9 million and could not guarantee he would remain with the team after the season. So now, if a long-term deal with the two parties is not reached by March 10, Suh will become a coveted unrestricted free agent.
The 28-year-old was selected in the first round by Detroit in 2010 and has made the Pro Bowl every year since he entered the league.
Suh has also been menacing for quarterbacks and has recorded 36 sacks in the regular season, Pro-Football-Reference.com noted.
He is no question a defensive force on the football field. However, he is labeled as the dirtiest player in the league and has even been suspended and fined for some of his on-field actions. In total, he lost $420,669 in fines.
Despite his transgressions, mainly against opposing quarterbacks, there will be no shortage of teams lining up to snag the defensive tackle if the Lions can’t get a deal done soon.