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

National Football League, or NFL, teams can start putting players with the “franchise tag” on Monday but the Detroit Lions have yet to decide if they will use it for star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reporters Ed Werder and Michael Rothstein had updates on the Suh-Lions development on Twitter:

Ndamukong Suh has played for five seasons in the NFL all with the Lions starting in 2010 when he was drafted second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. The 28 year old is considered one of the best defensive players in the league in this stretch making the Pro Bowl four times in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and also named to the NFL First Team All Pro four times in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. If no deal can be reached by March 7, 2015 and Suh doesn’t have the franchise tag, the defensive tackle will officially hit free agency on March 10, 2015.

It would cost the Lions $26.87 million for the 2015 season if they use the tag on Suh. Ndamukong Suh signed a five year $64.5 million contract with the Lions in 2010 but has since restructured the deal on his way to potentially becoming the highest paid defensive tackle in the league.

The franchise is already set to pay wide receiver Calvin Johnson over $16 million in the 2015 NFL season. If they tag Suh, around half the team salary will be paid to Johnson and Suh. Detroit made the NFL postseason in 2014 after finishing the regular season with an 11-5 win-loss record. The Lions lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-20 in a controversial wildcard game.

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

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