Haloti Ngata: Open to signing deal with Lions
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said he would be open to signing an extension with the team after the 2015 season.
Ngata was introduced by the team after he was traded from the Baltimore Ravens to Detroit for fourth and fifth-round draft picks. Detroit also received a seventh-round pick.
[daily_cut.nfl] Ngata is scheduled to make $8.5 million next season, the last season of a four-year, $48 million extension he signed in 2011.
"Yeah, definitely," Ngata said at his press conference. "We're open to anything. You know, just being here so far, I'm getting really comfortable already. Once I meet the guys, I know I'll just want to stay here. So if an extension comes to mind, that would be awesome. If not, then it is what it is."
Ngata was acquired following the departure of All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who signed a six-year deal worth $114 million with the Miami Dolphins.
Ngata, a three-time first-team All-Pro selection and five-time Pro Bowler, says the Ravens weren’t able to work out a new deal for him.
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"We just weren't close enough (in talks on an extension) to what we thought I could get," Ngata said. "We just figured we'd just hold still until they do something and they ended up trading me."
Last season, Ngata started 12 games and recorded 31 total tackles, two sacks, two forced fumble and two interceptions. The NFL suspended him for four games without pay for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
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