The Detroit Lions are coming into the offseason with a number of significant free agents hitting the market in Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and CJ Mosley and the team is working on trying to keep Suh and this comes as the Lions may consider a release of Reggie Bush to help free up some salary cap space.
The Lions are coming into the offseason with a decent cap situation, but Suh is asking for a ton of money and if he stays, it likely means Fairley goes. According to the Detroit Free Press, president Tom Lewand is expecting to have Suh back for next year and said that there is a "good chance" that they will agree on a long term deal. The team likely will not use the franchise tag on Suh, as that would pay him over $20 million.
Suh is looking to be one of the highest paid players in football and he is looking for a deal in the range of what JJ Watt got from Houston. Suh reportedly wants at least $100 million with $40 million guaranteed and Adam Schefter at ESPN reported that he could get even more than that. Suh has had his issues on the field, but he is an All-Pro player and if the Lions don't pay him, someone will. Fairley is a backup option if Suh leaves, but it's more likely that Suh stays and Fairley goes. Suh will be targeted by the Browns, Raiders and any other team with cap space and the Lions feel they have as good of a chance as anyone to keep him.
The team may look at the release of Reggie Bush, as general manager Martin Mayhew said that his status is still up in the air for next season. Bush would not save the team all that much money, as he is getting paid $3.25 million and would clear just $1.7 million, but the team may still release him. Bush is also dealing with some bad allegations off the field, as he has been accused of spiking drinks, according to the Detroit Free Press. Bush has denied the allegations, but there is a chance the team could still consider that as part of the reason to release him.
Bush did not have a good season and dealt with some injury issues, but it's likely the team keeps him since it doesn't really save much to cut him loose. Bush played in 11 games and had just 297 yards on the ground while catching 40 balls for 253 yards. Joique Bell was very effective for the Lions last season and he could start off ahead of Bush on the depth chart next year. Bush will be 30 in March and he could get another chance in Detroit in 2015.
The Lions finished the season with a loss against the Cowboys in the playoffs and they went 11-5 on the season and finished first overall in rushing yards allowed per game. The team allowed less than 70 yards per game on the ground this season and with the Packers, Bears and Vikings all solid rushing teams, the Lions would be wise to try and keep Suh. The Raiders and Jets as well as the Browns are teams to watch, as Suh is a game changer and has money to spend.
