Lions GM: Better in long term not to have Ndamukong Suh
While the Detroit Lions lost defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to free agency, general manager Martin Mayhew believes the money his team saved in letting Suh go will be long-term benefit, even if Suh's absence poses a short-term problem.
“I think anytime you lose a quality player like that, especially in the short term, that is to your detriment,” Mayhew told reporters, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I think in the long term, I think we're going to be glad we don't have that contract on our books. But in the short term, that's an issue.”
Suh signed with the Miami Dolphins for a reported six years and $114 million, including $60 million guaranteed, a deal that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
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“I know we have some quality players on our team that we probably couldn't keep if we had that deal on our books,” Mayhew said.
Detroit also lost defensive tackle Nick Fairley as a free agent, but traded for veteran Haloti Ngata.
Suh led the Lions with 8.5 sacks last season. The Detroit defense allowed the second-fewest yards and third-fewest points in the NFL. The Lions held opponents to 3.2 yards per rushing attempt, the best average in the league.
- Brad Rowland
