Ndamukong Suh: Why the Detroit Lions must re-sign stud DT

Despite the headaches he often causes, the Detroit Lions have to re-sign Ndamukong Suh this offseason

The Detroit Lions fell to the Dallas Cowboys in opening round of the playoffs over the weekend and now head into the offseason facing a litany of tough questions. That said, there is no question the team should do everything in its power to re-sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

On Monday, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said that re-signing Suh was one of the team’s highest priorities. But getting the impending free agent tackle under contract should be Detroit’s only priority until it’s done.

Despite often losing his cool on the field, Suh is undoubtedly one of the NFL’s most talented players. At 28 years old he’s already a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro. For good measure he has a second-team All-Pro nod as well. Detroit took him with the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and he has been a force ever since.

More from Detroit Lions

Aside from being wildly talented, Suh is also durable. He has started 78 of a possible 80 career games. He has piled up 36 sacks in his five NFL seasons and remains one of he most imposing forces in the game. With Suh anchoring the team’s defense, Detroit finished second in the NFL in yards allowed per game (300.9), first in rushing yards allowed per game (69.3) and tied for second in points allowed per game (17.6). Detroit’s front also allowed an NFL low 3.2 yards per carry.

While the Lions do have other solid players up front, Suh is the one who makes things happen. He led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (13) this season and is someone opposing offenses have to game plan around. If Detroit somehow loses him it could be a franchise game-changer.

Suh clearly has a screw loose on the field and should probably seek some kind of anger management assistance. I swear my last two ex-girlfriends are actually more emotionally stable than he is – and that’s not good news for the Nebraska product. But setting my thing for crazy women aside for a moment, there is serious concern over Suh’s conduct on the field. He has been fined nine separate times, and remember how I said he had only missed two starts in the NFL? He missed those games because he was suspended after stomping on Green Bay Packers guard Even Dietrich-Smith’s arm back in 2011.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Suh has now been fined a total of $276,875, while also missing out on more than $100,000 in lost wages due to suspension. That’s an unbelievable amount of money to lose just by being stupid. He has also had 35 penalties accepted against him during his five-year career which, for a defensive lineman, is an astonishingly high amount. Additionally, he has consistently been voted the NFL’s dirtiest player by his peers.

Suh is a problem child, there is zero doubt about that and there is a legitimate chance he’ll wind up getting suspended for a long time one of these days. Despite all of that, there is no way the Lions can let him get away. That is how good he is. The guy is an incredible talent and one of the NFL’s most impactful players.

There is some light in the tunnel when it comes to Suh’s character. He was genuinely emotional after Detroit’s playoff loss this weekend. And it’s not like Suh is some mindless thug, he’s an incredibly smart, thoughtful guy. He was named America’s most charitable athlete in 2011, and even donated $2.6 million to the University of Nebraska. There is just a disconnect when he gets on the field and no one seems to understand it.

Ndamukong Suh is still a young guy. He’s 28 and in the middle of his prime. What the Lions need to do is figure out a way to get through to him. It’s fine to have a mean streak on the field, in fact it’s probably necessary for a defensive tackle. But there needs to be a firm line Suh knows not to cross. Someone has to get Suh’s attention and mentor him or all he’ll be remembered as is the guy who stomped on an offensive lineman and stepped on Aaron Rodgers’ leg.

The Lions will have to back up a dump truck full of money to get Suh to return, because he will almost surely get offered a J.J. Watt-like contract by someone. But he has only known one NFL franchise and Detroit has stood by him through some really tough times.

The Lions and their fans may get frustrated by Ndamukong Suh’s antics, but there is no question the team must re-sign him this offseason.

Next: Suh wasn't a bust, but these 15 guys were the biggest NFL draft busts of all-time

Home/Detroit Lions