Report: Lions 'not optimistic' about signing Ndamukong Suh to new deal

The Detroit Lions are not optimistic they'll be able to sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a new contract. Suh is entering the last year of his deal.

The Detroit Lions are not optimistic they'll be able to sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a new contract, reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Suh is entering the final season of his rookie contract, which he signed after the Lions picked him No. 2 in the 2010 NFL draft.

The Nebraska product has a cap hit of $22.4 million this season. Should the two sides not agree to a deal, the Lions would have a choice of signing Suh to a $26.7 million tender in 2015 or letting him become a free agent.

GALLERY: SUH'S CONTROVERSIAL MOMENTS

Ndamukong Suh's Controversial Moments

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In just his fourth year in the league, Ndamukong Suh has become one of the most polarizing players in the NFL.

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Before he even played his first official snap, Suh announced himself as a ferocious, if not dirty player. In an exhibition game against the Cleveland Browns in August 2010, Suh charged through the defensive line and yanked quarterback Jake Delhomme's facemask before tightening his grip and throwing Delhomme down by his head. Suh was fined $7,500 for the hit.

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Suh has a history with Bears QB Jay Cutler, starting with a nasty forearm shove, during a game in December 2010, that was deemed a blow to the head and cost the defensive tackle $15,000. Replays later showed that Suh actually hit Cutler above the shoulder pads and below the neck, but the hit was still deemed a fineable offense.

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Bengals QB Andy Dalton received a rude and highly illegal welcome to the NFL by Suh when the then-rookie had his helmet ripped off in the 2011 preseason opener. The hit, similar to the one Suh put on Delhomme, earned him a $20,000 fine. Suh was none too happy about the response as he would tweet: "$20,000REALLY???!!"

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Suh was voted the dirtiest player in a Sporting News poll of 111 players on 31 teams. Suh won in a landslide over the Steelers' James Harrison.

Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

In a November 2011 game, Suh ripped Cutler's helmet off while taking the quarterback down.

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In a Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers in 2011, Suh became tangled up with Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith and eventually stamped the lineman after standing up. The act earned Suh a two-game suspension without pay and sullied his reputation in the press and throughout the league.

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In an October 2012 game against the Chicago Bears, Suh laid a controversial but decidedly legal hit on quarterback Jay Cutler, a player that he has terrorized in the past. Suh chased Cutler to the sidelines before grabbing his shoulder pad and violently driving the quarterback into the ground. The NFL determined not to fine Suh for the hit.

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Suh was fined $30,000 for kicking Houston quarterback Matt Schaub during a Thanksgiving Day game on Nov. 22, 2012. After Suh was taken to the ground, his foot swung toward Schaub and hit him in the groin area.

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During the 2013 season opener, with 14:09 left in the second quarter, Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder threw a pick to Detroit outside linebacker DeAndre Levy, who appeared to take it to the house for a touchdown. However, Ndamukong Suh negated the score when he put a clearly illegal block on Minnesota center John Sullivan (inset). The NFL levied a $100,000 fine against Suh for the low block.

Earlier in the offseason, the Lions said they were optimistic about getting a deal done. Suh has said he wants to stay in Detroit.

Suh, 27, has 135 tackles and 27.5 sacks in his four-year career. He was named First Team All-Pro in 2010 and 2013.

More: Lions' offseason report card | Photos: NFL training camps over the years

- Ben Estes