The Detroit Lions do not have time to dwell on the loss playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys because their offseason holds plenty of important decisions for their future. Free agency will be big for the Lions this year as several of their key players either have expiring contracts or heavy salary cap hits for 2015 and beyond. Head coach Jim Caldwell recognizes that bringing everyone back should be a priority, but that might be easier said than done.
Caldwell is very aware of the importance of Ndamukong Suh on the roster. The defensive tackle is easily their biggest playmaker on defense and the head coach wants nothing more than to keep him in Detroit. However, Suh has an expiring contract to his name with the intentions of becoming the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Suh has already said it is about money, not loyalty, but Caldwell is hoping he sticks around.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Caldwell said that retaining Suh "will continue to be one of our highest priorities." He also added that Suh is "a dominant, dominant player who we benefit from having his services. He is quite a player."
The issue is money. Matthew Stafford is a $17.72 million salary cap hit. Calvin Johnson is a $20.558 million salary cap hit. The Detroit Free Press hinted that Johnson could potentially be asked to restructure his deal or take a pay cut and if he denies, there is the chance that the Lions release the wide receiver. Now that possibility is extremely small and highly unlikely, but the Lions showed a lot of interest in acquiring a top wide receiver last year in the draft, plus they signed Golden Tate off the free agent market. They are set up if a move from Johnson becomes necessary.
If Lions are able to re-sign Suh, other players outside of Stafford and Johnson could be sent packing. Nick Fairley and Reggie Bush both understand that is a possibility, but both a seeking to return to the team next season. Fairley will be a free agent this offseason as well, coming off a year where his effort was questioned along with injuries knocking him out for seven games.
"I want it to be," Fairley said, via the Detroit Free Press. "I love Detroit, to be honest. I feel the city, the people in it. I love the atmosphere of basically the hard work that they bring. I'm just all work and that's definitely the vibe I get from the city and I like it."
Bush is saying the same thing. The running back is not a free agent, but injuries left his highly unproductive this season as Joique Bell took center stage as the top back while Theo Riddick stepped up as well. Bush's $5.2 million cap hit is not wanted while his skills can easily be replaced. If there is a player that the Lions would pull the trigger on releasing quickly, it could be Bush.