On the heels of suggesting earlier this week that there was no rush to extend defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, Lions president Tom Lewand said today on WJR in Detroit that the team expects to meet with Suh’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, next week in Orlando at the NFL owners meetings (Twitter link via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com). While a Suh extension may not be urgent, it definitely should be on the Lions’ offseason checklist, and it looks like the two sides will take the first steps toward a new deal within the next several days.
Let’s round up a few more links from around the NFC North….
- According to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers may enter the mix for free agent return man Devin Hester, but not until his asking price drops. Demovsky hears from one NFL personnel evaluator that Hester has been looking for $4MM per year, which is probably unattainable for a 31-year-old return specialist who contributes little on offense.
- In a separate piece for ESPN.com, Demovsky writes that the Packers are still in good salary cap shape, and should have room to extend Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, if and when they so choose.
- Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune explores whether Henry Melton‘s new deal with Dallas could open the door for Kevin Williams to return to the Vikings.
- Earlier this morning, the Lions agreed to sign fullback Jed Collins and the Bears reached an agreement with defensive back Sherrick McManis. Both deals are one-year pacts.