Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is reportedly considering ending his stint with the team after the current season ends. Suh, who will be a free agent after this year, is rumored to be eyeing New York following his departure from Detroit.
Negotiations for renewal hadn’t looked promising between Ndamukong and the franchise back in July, and it had been reported that talks had been put on hold until the end of the season, but now ESPN’s Adam Schefter is revealing that Suh may indeed be opting not to renew his contract after all.
A quarter way through season, the Lions are preparing to lose free-agent-to-be DT Ndamukong Suh and he is preparing to move on, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2014
Ndamukong himself has said little about contract negotiations and has preferred to avoid talking about it all together. “I have no reaction. I don’t talk about my contract”, Suh said in July. “I said it at the very beginning I won’t, I’ll keep it that way.”
Detroit’s team President Tom Lewand also stated his concern about contract speculation becoming a distraction and believes that Suh’s refusal to address his future was a smart call. “I think it’s the right thing for us to do, its the right thing for the team, it’s the right thing for everybody involved. It allows us to keep the focus where it belongs,” Lewand said over the summer.
Though it’s still fairly early to be speculating free agency for anyone, the back and forth between Ndamukong and the Lions certainly has lead many to believe that their partnership won’t continue past the year. Suh has expressed interest in playing in New York, though ESPN’s Rich Cimini maintains that the Jets may not be a “serious suitor.”
Ndamukong Suh, who will be free agent, wants to play in NY, per @AdamSchefter . Jets have too much money invested in DL to be serious suitor.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 28, 2014
Suh, who recently signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation for marketing representation, has been a major success for the Lions since his career with them began in 2010. The 27-year-old Portland, OR native has been selected three times to the Pro Bowl and has also earned three All-Pro nods in his four total NFL seasons. Ndamukong played for the University of Nebraska before being drafted to the NFL.
Schefter also notes that the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys would be interested in Ndamukong or “That Bee” as the player has infamously referred to himself , once he becomes a free agent.
