Chad Henne, Ndamukong Suh

It looks as though the contract extension talk between the Lions and impending 2015 free agent Ndamukong Suh will begin shortly.

According to FOX Sports Detroit, Lions team president Tom Lewand told WJR radio that the team plans to talk with Suh’s new agent Jimmy Sexton during the NFL meetings that begin Monday in Orlando.

“We’ll see if we can put a deal together,” Lewand said. “I’m hopeful we can.”

The meeting between the two sides has been a long time coming especially considering the $22.4-million cap hit Suh is due to receive this season. An extension could reduce that number and enable the team to more flexibility to sign other players however it would’ve been much more helpful to get that done at the beginning of free agency as opposed to now.

Suh also has all the leverage. It’s obviously no secret Detroit wants to re-sign Suh but he’ll get his money either way whether it’s with a new contract, free agency next season or by way of the franchise tag which in of itself would be an astronomical number.