Nick Fairley apparently has some extra motivation in 2014.
According to Lions GM Martin Mayhew, the Lions will not pick up the defensive tackles $5.5 million option for 2015 meaning he’s on track to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Mayhew said he wants Fairley to be motivated. Said Fairley was 'pumped' about it
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) March 24, 2014
Fairley, who was drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Lions has 12.5 sacks during his first three years as a pro.
“I have to ask myself, is he a $5.5 million player right now?” Mayhew said. “There are some performances where he is, and some performances where he’s not.
“I think it’s going to be an incentive for him to have an outstanding season, and that’s what I want more than anything else.” (via MLive.com)
Mayhew though has tried to provide Fairley with a little motivation in the past saying that he (Fairley) needed to “mature as a professional” and that he’d benefit from “repositioning” some of his weight. So you can see the tactic employed by Mayhew here. Ironically though we’re hearing this as the Lions front office was scheduled to meet with Suh’s representatives this week to discuss a contract extension.
