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 on Friday, Mayhew said 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 . He听reportedly听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 ," 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.听听David Akers, Israel Idonije, Rocky McIntosh, Dylan Gandy and John Wendling won't return.
- Mayhew confirmed defensive end had . 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 the franchise tag.
- And the most important issue (note: sarcasm) on Matthew Stafford:
