The Detroit Lions are coming into the offseason after making the playoffs last year and the team could look at names like Terrance Knighton, Michael Crabtree, Jordan Cameron or CJ Spiller on the market, as Nick Fairley is hitting free agency and the Lions also may look at releasing Reggie Bush as a salary cap cut for 2015.
The Lions have Ndamukong Suh and Fairley hitting free agency this offseason and there is a chance the team could lose both of those players. The Lions had one of the top defenses in the league and the number one ranked rush defense and losing either one of these players will hurt that unit. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions are looking to bring back Suh and team president Tom Lewand said that he expects to get a deal done with him early in free agency. Knighton could be a potential option for the Lions if Suh goes and he reportedly is a target for the Oakland Raiders as well.
Suh reportedly wants to be one of the highest paid players in football and ESPN.com reports he could get a deal at $100 million with at least $50 million guaranteed. Suh is coming off of another strong season that saw him put up 8.5 sacks and he is an All-Pro talent at his position. Fairley will be a cheaper option than Suh, but he also could leave in free agency and that is why the Lions likely will try hard to keep Suh, as he is the superior talent. The salary cap is expected to rise for next season and that could be very helpful for the team in signing Suh, as they already have Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson on big contract.
The Lions could look at using the franchise tag on Suh if they can't work out a long term deal, but the cap hit is expected to be over $20 million for next season, making that an extremely hard option to consider. The Reggie Bush situation is one to keep an eye on, as his off the field issues could contribute to his future with the team.
Bush was already an option to get cut, but since the team wouldn't save much by doing so, there was a chance he would remain on the roster. But after allegations of drink spiking came up as part of the Darren Sharper case involving Bush, all options are on the table. Bush is denying the allegations and if the Lions decide to cut him loose, they would save just under $2 million and he is set to be paid $3.25 million for this season.
Bush had a down year while dealing with nagging injuries and that also could be the justification for releasing him. Bush will be 30 years old when the season starts and he comes in after playing in just 11 games, gaining 297 rushing yards and making 40 catches for 253 yards out of the backfield. The team was satisfied with the play from Joique Bell and Theo Riddick last season and that could lead to the Lions letting Bush go. The team also may look at CJ Spiller or Shane Vereen on the market as options if they cut Bush.
