It’s been nearly a decade since Ndamukong Suh suited up for the Detroit Lions, but the former All-Pro isn’t done talking about his time in the Motor City.
In a surprising 2025 headline, Suh aired out some long-standing frustrations about how his rookie contract negotiations played out. According to Suh, the Lions made it clear early on that they couldn’t give him a bigger deal than Matthew Stafford’s rookie contract—but promised to take care of him down the line. Suh says that never happened, and it’s part of why he chose to leave Detroit for a massive payday with the Miami Dolphins.
While Suh went on to have a strong career—cashing in with the Dolphins, winning a Super Bowl in Tampa, and suiting up for the Rams and Eagles—his time in Detroit still seems to sting.
There’s no denying Suh brought intensity to the field, but his reputation for toeing the line (and often crossing it) made it tough for the Lions to justify handing him a franchise-defining contract. It was a different time, with Detroit nowhere near the contender it’s become today.
Now, as the Lions are finally building something special, Suh’s comments feel like they belong to a different era—because they do. Detroit has moved on. This is a new front office, a new team, and a whole new culture.
Suh was a force in his prime and will always be remembered as one of the most dominant defenders to wear Honolulu Blue. But at this point, it might be best to let the past stay in the past.
Ndamukong Suh Reignites Old Grievances with Lions Over Contract Promises
