Why Haloti Ngata’s tenure with the Detroit Lions could be short
By Mike Payton
It may be whats best for the Lions
Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Alright calm down. No need to get excited about anything just yet. If the Lions decide to let Haloti Ngata walk after the 2015 season, they find themselves in a position they have not been in, in a long time. At this point the Lions will have zero dead money to pay in 2015. With projected rise in salary cap again in 2015, the Lions will be able to make moves in free agency in 2016. Of course the top priority for the Lions is to make sure they retain DeAndre Levy and the Lions have already started to make that happen.
Lions talking extension with DeAndre Levy, waiting to talk to Haloti Ngata http://t.co/YNVz5Bo2ZW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 24, 2015
The Lions could very well make Marcell Dareus a priority in 2016 as well. As of now the 25-year-old Pro bowl defensive tackle will test free agency in 2016. The Lions could also get Dareus cheaper than Suh. The popular belief that Suh started a market trend for defensive tackles is quite ridiculous. Once teams see how the Miami Dolphins are handicapped by Suh and his monster contract, the market will likely even itself out.
Other defensive tackles available next offseason include, Henry Melton, Terrance Knighton, Damon Harrison and Kenrick Ellis to name a few.
Lions were proactive addressing DL with Haloti Ngata trade. Could address their need at DT in that regard as well. Stay tuned
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 23, 2015
There is also rumors that the Lions are already in the trade market for a defensive tackle. A trade for Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers has been in the rumor mill since before the draft. SideLion Reports own Kent Lee Platte put together a great piece on a few of the trades the Lions could be looking into.
In the end the Lions could very well decide to extend Ngata and move forward with him as the center piece of the Lions defensive line. Only time will tell. What do you think? Do you think the Lions will extend Ngata? Or will the Lions move on and play in the free agency market in 2016? Leave your comments below and be sure to follow us on Twitter @SideLionReport or @Lionmike26 for all your Lions news and original content.