Detroit Lions: 8 Players who could be gone in 2019

Ziggy Ansah

If there is a common theme throughout much of this list it is the idea of plans gone wrong and that is the case with Ziggy Ansah as well. After battling some injury issues last season, Ansah emerged healthy late in the year to remind everyone what kind of a force he can be. His six sacks in the final two games made the decision to give him the franchise tag much easier.

The lack of a long-term deal was never publicly ruled out, but it was not a surprise to see Ansah play out the franchise tag rather than get something worked out on a multi-year deal. Franchsise tag level pass rushers command big money, so it only makes sense Ansah would be looking for something commensurate. It also makes sense the Lions would be hesitant to make a big commitment given Ansah’s history with nagging injuries that see him out of the lineup or not playing at full strength.

The 2017 season may have had its frustrations for Ansah and the Lions but 2018 has been worse. The injury bug set in early in week one and limited Ansah to just seven games played before being lost for the season. In the end, the franchise tag hasn’t worked out for either side. The Lions are paying big money for little impact and Ansah’s stock has taken a hit just as he is about to have his shot at free agency.

It just feels like one of those situations where a fresh start is necessary on both sides. That’s a real shame, because the Lions still really need a player with the theoretical impact of Ansah on their defensive line. But they can’t be faulted if they don’t want to shell out big bucks for more years of uncertainty.

That’s not to say the Lions should have no interest in retaining Ansah. It’s just that there will probably be a desperate team out there willing to overlook some injury concerns and forgo the kind of per-game roster bonuses in lieu of base salary the Lions would likely insist on after all they have gone through this season.