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After racing out to a 7-2 record this season, the Detroit Lions' season ended just as it did following its previous playoff appearance in 2011 -- with a loss in the wild-card round.
Following the team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, it's time for Detroit's front office to assess what it must improve to return to the postseason in 2015. Here are five areas of concern:
1. Figure out a plan for Suh.
Reports before the season suggested the Lions and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were preparing for a divorce following the season. Suh is signed through 2015, but he can void the final year of the deal. Using the franchise tag would cost the team roughly $27 million in cash and salary-cap space in 2015. Suh's contract would count $9.7 million against the cap in 2015 even if the team does not re-sign him, thanks to a pattern of renegotiation that has pushed cap damages into the future.
Is there a realistic way to keep him? Defensive tackles Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley can also become free agents. Bottom line: This position will be central to the Lions' offseason.
2. Stabilize the offensive line.
Nine combinations of linemen played at least 25 snaps together, up from just four during the 2013 season. Center Dominic Raiola and guard Rob Sims do not have contracts for the 2015 season. They have been mainstays on the line. How hard will the Lions work to bring them back? Re-signing the younger Sims and moving Travis Swanson from guard to center could carry some appeal if Raiola is not brought back.
3. Can Stafford advance in the offense?
There is mounting evidence that quarterbacks "are what they are" after a certain point in their careers. Chicago found that out with Jay Cutler. Stafford faced some challenges in 2014 as he learned a new offense, played behind a less dependable line and sometimes could not count on either Calvin Johnson or Reggie Bush. How much better can he get in 2015? The Lions are paying him like he's one of the very best quarterbacks in the league.
4. Consider moving on from Bush
The running back turns 30 this offseason and will be entering his 10th NFL season. Bush played a career-low 270 snaps this past season. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry and set career lows in some of the major statistical categories. Bush has a $3.25 million salary in 2015 and his salary-cap figure jumps from just under $3 million to nearly $5.3 million. The team could save $3.5 million under the 2015 cap by releasing Bush and designating him a post-June 1 cut. Theo Riddick could be an appealing alternative. Drafting a running back also could be an option.
5. How big of a concern is Megatron's durability?
Johnson's salary-cap figure jumps from $13 million in 2014 to more than $20.5 million in 2015. That is a massive commitment for a player whose durability has come into question. Johnson has missed multiple games in each of the past two seasons. He was hampered by injury in other games. Can the Lions find a way to soften the salary-cap pain associated with Johnson's contract? Can they count on Johnson to be a high-impact player on a week-to-week basis for years to come?
Offseason fixes for the Detroit Lions -- NFL - ESPN
By Mike Sando
Following the team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, it's time for Detroit's front office to assess what it must improve to return to the postseason in 2015. Here are five areas of concern:
1. Figure out a plan for Suh.
Reports before the season suggested the Lions and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were preparing for a divorce following the season. Suh is signed through 2015, but he can void the final year of the deal. Using the franchise tag would cost the team roughly $27 million in cash and salary-cap space in 2015. Suh's contract would count $9.7 million against the cap in 2015 even if the team does not re-sign him, thanks to a pattern of renegotiation that has pushed cap damages into the future.
Is there a realistic way to keep him? Defensive tackles Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley can also become free agents. Bottom line: This position will be central to the Lions' offseason.
2. Stabilize the offensive line.
Nine combinations of linemen played at least 25 snaps together, up from just four during the 2013 season. Center Dominic Raiola and guard Rob Sims do not have contracts for the 2015 season. They have been mainstays on the line. How hard will the Lions work to bring them back? Re-signing the younger Sims and moving Travis Swanson from guard to center could carry some appeal if Raiola is not brought back.
3. Can Stafford advance in the offense?
There is mounting evidence that quarterbacks "are what they are" after a certain point in their careers. Chicago found that out with Jay Cutler. Stafford faced some challenges in 2014 as he learned a new offense, played behind a less dependable line and sometimes could not count on either Calvin Johnson or Reggie Bush. How much better can he get in 2015? The Lions are paying him like he's one of the very best quarterbacks in the league.
4. Consider moving on from Bush
The running back turns 30 this offseason and will be entering his 10th NFL season. Bush played a career-low 270 snaps this past season. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry and set career lows in some of the major statistical categories. Bush has a $3.25 million salary in 2015 and his salary-cap figure jumps from just under $3 million to nearly $5.3 million. The team could save $3.5 million under the 2015 cap by releasing Bush and designating him a post-June 1 cut. Theo Riddick could be an appealing alternative. Drafting a running back also could be an option.
5. How big of a concern is Megatron's durability?
Johnson's salary-cap figure jumps from $13 million in 2014 to more than $20.5 million in 2015. That is a massive commitment for a player whose durability has come into question. Johnson has missed multiple games in each of the past two seasons. He was hampered by injury in other games. Can the Lions find a way to soften the salary-cap pain associated with Johnson's contract? Can they count on Johnson to be a high-impact player on a week-to-week basis for years to come?
Offseason fixes for the Detroit Lions -- NFL - ESPN
By Mike Sando
