Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew expects to sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a contract extension soon.
Speaking to local beat reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Mayhew said he thinks a deal with Suh can be struck before free agency begins March 11, or shortly thereafter.
The Lions want to lower Suh's $22.4 million cap number to free up cash for free agency. One issue could be that Suh doesn't yet have an agent. He reportedly has signed with Jay Z's Roc Nation agency, but it is unclear who would negotiate a potential extension.
Mayhew said he hasn't considered the possibly of trading Suh: "I haven't really given that any thought," he said.
The 27-year-old Suh is coming off an All-Pro season. He improved his run-stuffing ability and continues to collapse the pocket. An extension would tie up a lot of the Lions' cap in three players -- along with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson -- but Mayhew views the tackle as the most important building block on defense.
A few other notes from Mayhew:
1. Pending free agents David Akers, Israel Idonije, Rocky McIntosh, Dylan Gandy and John Wendling won't return.
- Mayhew confirmed defensive end Ziggy Ansah had shoulder surgery this month. He doesn't expect it to disrupt the second-year player's offseason workouts.
- The general manager said he would like to bring back Brandon Pettigrew and wouldn't rule out using the franchise tag.
- And the most important issue (note: sarcasm) on Matthew Stafford: How he wears his hat is not an issue.
On the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys speculate on big names who could be cut, then talk offseason forecasts for the Packers and Raiders.
