The Detroit Lions and Ndamukong Suh have tabled their talks on a contract extension for the defensive tackle until the 2014 NFL season is over.
According to ESPN, the Lions revealed on Monday that their on-going negotiations with Suh over a new deal have been put on hold after the sides failed to ink an extension during their discussions.
Lions president Tom Lewand said the team is tabling talks based on the fact that they want to focus on the upcoming season and not have to worry about any distractions. Despite the talks being delayed, Lewand remains optimistic that both sides will work out a deal that is good for everyone involved.
Lewand is confident that the team will land an extension for Suh, who has a $22.4 million cap hit this season, and he cited the team's track record for working out extensions as a reason why he is so optimistic that at the end of the year the sides will reach an agreement.
The Lions instead will focus on the upcoming campaign and look to bounce back from a disappointing 7-9 finish in 2013 that saw the team drop six of their final seven games and miss the postseason for the second consecutive year with a third place finish in the NFC North.
After the season, Detroit parted ways with head coach Jim Schwartz, who held the job for five years and put up a 29-51 record in 80 games at the helm before being released. Jim Caldwell was hired to take the reins to the Lions this coming season and is the 26th coach in franchise history.
Suh, 27, is no stranger to controversy and being suspended and fined, but he has been a huge part of the Lions defense. Suh recorded 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks in in 16 games with the Lions last season.
A No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Suh has played 62 games in his career with the Lions, posting 135 tackles and 27.5 sacks.
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