Detroit Lions decide not to place franchise tag on Ndamukong Suh

In the end, the Detroit Lions couldn't justify placing the franchise tag on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

It would have cost the team a one-year tender of $27 million, which — along with the bloated salaries of Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford — would have crippled the Lions' salary cap situation and perhaps hindered their chances to re-sign Suh and even Nick Fairley, another key free agent.

The reason his figure was high was because Suh's cap number was $22 million a year ago in his redone deal, and the franchise rules require a 20 percent kicker over that number.

The Lions are playing with fire, but they still harbor hopes they can re-sign Suh to a long-term deal. They'll have until March 10, which is the opening of free agency, to lock up Suh or risk losing him to the open market, where the money could exceed what the Lions can afford.

A year ago, the Lions opted not to pick up the fifth-year option for Fairley, a first-round pick in 2010. He had been out of shape and had not produced to the level the Lions had hoped. But even with a season-ending injury last season, Fairley played well enough — and with the Suh uncertainty looming — that it appears in hindsight the Lions might have made a mistake.

Now what for Suh?

The Lions could come to an agreement with him in the next week. But other teams will be lurking with one of the top interior defenders now hitting the market. Previously, Suh's camp had let word leak that he might be seeking a landing spot in one of the top markets.

With the New York Giants expected to franchise Jason-Pierre Paul and the New York Jets loaded with d-line talent, the NYC market might be limited as a destination. Philadelphia? Dallas? It's not clear if Suh is financially viable in either spot, although the Cowboys always figure to have one eye on the situation.

As for teams with the requisite cap space, the Oakland Raiders figure to be players. Maybe the Atlanta Falcons, too, as they have cleared gobs of cap room and desperately need a pass rush.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm