Detroit Lions Rumor: Ndamukong Suh Likely To Leave In Free Agency With As Many As 10 Teams Bidding

The Detroit Lions have faced rumors for months that Ndamukong Suh could be leaving when he hits free agency this year, and now that the team’s season has ended, the reports of his departure are picking up more steam.

The dominant but troubled defensive lineman will become a free agent after this season ends, and for weeks, reports have circulated that a number of teams are seeking his services. But now that number appears to have grown considerably, with Yahoo Sports reporting that as many as 10 teams will be fighting for his services.

As Yahoo reports, at least one of those teams is the Detroit Lions.

“The sources told Yahoo Sports there could be as many as 10 teams interested in making titanic pitches to Suh. That number includes Suh’s current team, the Lions, which still has the option of restructuring some contracts and retaining the four-time All-Pro via the franchise tag. At a price of $26.7 million for 2015, the weight of that one-year contract would be potentially crippling to the franchise, but the three sources said Detroit is keeping the option on the table. Head coach Jim Caldwell nearly admitted as much Monday, emphasizing that retaining Suh was a top priority for the franchise.”

But even if the Detroit Lions are a serious bidder to keep Ndamukong Suh, the sheer number of teams involved means a greater likelihood that they could be out-bid.

Sources said as the free agency period actually begins and teams get a better idea of what kind of money Suh might actually command, his number of suitors could drop. Suh’s case is also a little different than most players, as his checkered history and number of suspensions may give other teams pause. A source said the following about the trade.

“There will be some level of interest from a bunch of guys until a [dollar] figure is exchanged [with Jimmy Sexton, Suh’s agent]… The ballpark [of the deal] is obvious, but once it’s real, the [suitors] will get a lot smaller. It will go from five to maybe two. Who knows? Maybe just one. It all depends on the numbers.”

Ndamukong Suh,who recently signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation for marketing representation, reportedly has a number of teams he’s interested in outside the Detroit Lions. Sources said he wants to play for the New York Jets, but they aren’t believed to be a serious suitor.