Earlier in this NFL offseason, the Detriot Lions decided to place the franchise tag on star defensive end Ziggy Ansah for the 2018 season. However, there has yet to be an extensive discussion about a new extension being worked out before next months' deadline to get a deal in place.
With that in mind, Ansah has actively avoided answering any questions concerning a new contract hammered out this offseason, according to Carlos Monarrez of The Detroit Free Press.
First contract question: Have you already signed your contract extension?
“Next question,” Ansah said.
Second contract question: How much are you thinking about your contract?
“No, I’m not thinking about it,” he said.
Third contract question: Does an extension remain on the table?
“You all will be the first to know if it happens,” he said.
The lack of any true dialogue between both sides gives off the notion that the team will wait until next offseason to discuss a long-term deal with Ansah. He has been a vital part of their defense through his first five seasons in the league, but injuries have played a part in the equation.
In fact, he has been dealing with persistent injuries in each of the last two years, but he has proven to be game-changing talent when healthy. He has recorded a pair of double-digit sack campaigns twice in the last three years while racking up 44.0 for his career. Ansah finished the 2017 season tied for eighth in the league with 12.0 sacks with 44 total tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 14 games. This included three separate games with three sacks pushing his career total to four such performance tying him with Robert Porcher for the most in franchise history.
This may simply play out with Ansah having to prove that he deserves a lucrative long-term contract behind his play this upcoming season.
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