Former Detroit Lions star Ndamukong Suh is letting it be known—he hasn’t forgotten how things ended in Detroit. The All-Pro defensive tackle, once a cornerstone of the Lions’ rebuild alongside Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, recently called out the organization for undervaluing his role during contract negotiations.
Suh took to Facebook to express frustration that, despite his dominant presence on the field, the Lions chose to let him hit free agency in 2015 rather than commit to a long-term deal. He felt he deserved more than what the team gave Stafford, arguing that his impact on the defense was just as vital to Detroit’s success.
“This wasn’t just about sacks,” Suh hinted. “It was about leadership, culture, and commanding respect on the field.”
While Stafford and Johnson both received massive second contracts, Suh—who was drafted No. 2 overall in 2010—walked for cap reasons. The Lions had invested heavily in quarterbacks, as is typical in today’s NFL, but Suh believes that philosophy came at the expense of truly valuing game-changing defensive talent.
Despite earning over $160 million in his NFL career, Suh made it clear the issue wasn’t just money—it was about being recognized and respected as a foundational player. His remarks speak to a larger conversation in the NFL about how defensive players, no matter how dominant, are often overshadowed financially by quarterbacks.
Now, Suh’s words serve as both a critique of Lions history and a challenge to the league’s quarterback-centric pay culture. And while Detroit has moved forward with new stars, Suh clearly hasn’t forgotten how his chapter ended—with the team letting go of what he believes was their defensive heartbeat.
Ndamukong Suh Slams Lions Over Disrespect: ‘They Didn’t Know What They Had’
