Ndamukong Suh
Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) gets tackled by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) defensive end Darryl Tapp (52) and outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 16-14. REUTERS/Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have decided against using the “franchise tag” on Ndamukong Suh but will be working to sign the star defensive tackle on a long-term deal before he officially hits the free agent market in the National Football League, or NFL. The Lions and Suh have until March 10, 2015 or the prized defensive player will be free to explore signing with other NFL teams.

The move by the Lions was confirmed in an ESPN report and Detroit’s general manager Martin Mayhew said that contracts by other top NFL defensive players like J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans and Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be used as an example in their negotiations with Suh for the long-term contract.

"Those guys are both great defensive linemen in the NFL, so I think the more information, the better. I know Ndamukong is obviously a very competitive guy. Gerald McCoy is a guy who was taken directly behind him in the same year,” Mayhew said to ESPN.com. “So I think that's something, that when that deal gets done, that's a valuable piece of information for us in terms of the structure of that deal, the length of that deal, obviously how much money. Obviously all those things are helpful pieces of information.”

Both Watt and McCoy have an average contracts of around $15 million to $16 million per season will most likely want the same kind of contract for a long-term deal with the Lions. Late in the NFL offseason, around the NFL Scouting Combine, the Lions were still considering of tagging Suh and pay him around $26.9 million for the 2015 season. Tagging him means a guaranteed deal for the upcoming season but won’t assure the franchise of a long-term partnership with the star defensive player.

Suh was drafted second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft playing all five of his years in the NFL with the Lions. The 28 year old is considered one of the league's best players and has made five NFL Pro Bowls in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Suh was also named to the NFL First Team All Pro four times in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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