The Detroit Lions have dealt with trade rumors this offseason regarding Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley and while they may not look at trading the stars now that OTAs are getting closer, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings could be interested in making a move.
Suh and Fairley came up in trade rumors this offseason based on issues with their contracts, with Suh looking for an extension and Fairley not having his fifth year option picked up. According to ESPN.com, general manager Martin Mayhew said that he felt that Fairley still needed to prove himself before the team committed to him long term and now he has that chance in 2014, as the team did not pick up the option on his contract. Fairley was the 13th pick in the draft in 2011 and after having a so-so season with the Lions, the team is looking for him to step up alongside Suh. Fairley has played in 39 games in his career and has amassed 86 tackles and 12.5 sacks and now he has something to prove coming into camp this offseason for the Lions.
Suh and his contract issues led some to believe that he would hold out of offseason workouts, but according to NFL.com, Suh is expected to come for OTAs starting this week. Mike Freeman from Bleacher Report said that even after the draft, teams have been calling the Lions regarding Suh and Fairley and if they get a good enough deal, the team could pull the trigger. Mayhew responded to the reports about Suh and said the team would not be trading the star this offseason. The biggest reason for the speculation is the $22.4 million cap number on him from his rookie deal and now he is in the final year of that contract and the team must decide whether to let him hit the market or try for an extension.
The Lions are coming into the season after going 7-9 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year and that led the team to fire Jim Schwartz and now they have brought in Jim Caldwell. The defense has been an issue for the team overall, while the run defense from Suh and Fairley has been highly ranked, as the team allowed just 99 yards per game on the ground last season, ranking sixth in the NFL. The team was ranked 23rd in passing yards allowed per game and that is one area where they must improve and both Suh and Fairley can help that by getting to the QB more often in 2014.
The offense has not been an issue over the past couple ears, as Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have been fantastic and the addition of Reggie Bush helped last season and now they could be even better. The team signed Golden Tate this offseason and drafted Eric Ebron and now their offense could be even more potent this season. Ebron and Joseph Fauria are both athletic tight ends and adding to Brandon Pettigrew, the team has one of the deepest groups at the position.
