Ndamukong Suh Not Franchise Tagged by Lions: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Detroit Lions may want to keep defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, but they aren't willing to pay $26.9 million to do so.

According to Tim Twentyman of the team's official website, the Lions won't be using the franchise tag on Suh:

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In the end, the Detroit Lions have determined that the franchise tag, at a price of $26.9 million, is just too expensive to spend on All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

The Lions have declined to place the tag on Suh, which means he’ll become an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign with any club he chooses starting March 10.

That could still end up being Detroit, but Suh is likely going to test the free agent market and assess his value, and is expected to have plenty of suitors.

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Suh remains one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL today, and he instantly becomes the crown jewel of this year's free-agent market. 

As Ed Werder of ESPN noted, Suh is about to become a very rich man:

Suh finished 2014 with 54 tackles, 8.5 sacks, a career-high 21 tackles for loss and 37 quarterback hurries, per Twentyman. He is one of the rare interior defensive linemen who can consistently get pressure on the quarterback, collapsing the pocket in the process.  

While the Lions may ultimately be able to keep him in Detroit, it's going to take a huge contract to do so. That means the team is now likely crafting contingency plans, be it to replace him either in free agency or through the draft.