The Lions have officially re-signed defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. For now, Ansah is set to play out the 2018 season on a one-year deal worth more than $17MM. 
Ansah and the Lions have until July 16 to agree on a multi-year extension, per the terms of the franchise tag. From 2013-2017, 16 of the league’s 33 franchise tagged players have agreed to extensions before the summer deadline, but it’s not especially likely in Ansah’s case. In late March, Lions GM Bob Quinn hinted that he’ll take a wait-and-see approach with Ansah.
“We’re hoping he stays healthy, has a productive year and we go from there,” Quinn said.
Last year, Ansah recorded 12 sacks, 44 total tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Only seven players – Chandler Jones, Calais Campbell, Demarcus Lawrence, Everson Griffen, Cameron Jordan, Ryan Kerrigan, and Joey Bosa – brought the quarterback down behind the line more than Ansah in 2017.
Ansah’s 44 career sacks rank fifth all-time in Lions history, an impressive feat with just five NFL season under his belt. The Lions, ideally, would like to keep him in the fold in the long run, but they may be hesitant about committing major dollars to him because of his so-so 2016 performance.
No way he signs any extention until he sees how much the Raiders throw at Mack.
He won’t be worth anything near Mack
Just saying that DEs will now be using Mack’s number as the benchmark to gauge their own negotiating start point.