While a Motor City reunion is highly unlikely, there will be several notable former Detroit Lions available when free agency officially opens next week.
When free agency opens in just over a week, the Detroit Lions will have their hands full trying to use their modest available salary cap space to improve a team that was lacking in all departments by the end of 2019. Among the players searching for a new team are plenty of familiar faces, guys with notable previous stints on the team.
Some of these guys are still adored, others may be still abhorred, and to be honest, I’m not expecting a homecoming for any of them. Even so, the story of these players is in many ways the story of the Lions over the past ten years, and I’m sure at least the first one on this list would be welcomed back with open arms. Here are six former Lions who are back on the market this spring:
Ndamukong Suh, DT
As a Lion: Though never far from controversy, Suh remains the most dominant Lions defensive player of my lifetime. During five seasons in Detroit, Suh was named All-Pro three times, selected for four Pro Bowls, and anchored an elite defense in 2014 that ranked first in rushing yards allowed.
Since he’s been gone: Suh has played with three teams (Dolphins, Rams, Bucs) since departing the Lions after the 2014 season, reaching Super Bowl LIII with the Rams. Though Suh appears to be on the back end of his career (no All-Pro selections since leaving Detroit), in ten years he still hasn’t missed an NFL game due to injury, and if the price was right would still make an ultra-reliable run stopper to cover the loss of Snacks Harrison.
Closing thought: You’re telling me you wouldn’t go for one more year of completely blowing up a run play for a one-yard loss and hearing the ‘SUUUUUHHHHH’ chant reverberate through Ford Field?
Ezekiel Ansah, DE
As a Lion: Ziggy logged 48 sacks in his six years with Detroit, including 14.5 in his Pro Bowl 2015 season. Injuries and inconsistency slowed him down towards the end of his time, with shortened seasons and diminished impact until parting ways in 2018.
Since he’s been gone: Joining Seattle for the 2019 season, Ansah took on a smaller role, becoming a rotation guy on the Seahawks’ defensive line. With lower expectations and snap counts, he was disruptive at times, with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles and recoveries.
Closing thought: Ziggy’s days as a guy to specifically game plan for are likely finished, and the sky-high expectations that he couldn’t consistently meet are probably why his initial departure from Detroit was received with more of a ‘meh’ than anything.