Lions pick up Ziggy Ansah's 5th-year option
Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Detroit Lions have exercised their fifth-year option on the contract of defensive end Ziggy Ansah, the team announced Monday.
Ansah is now signed through the 2017 campaign and will make just over $12.7 million for that season.
The 26-year-old was taken with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. After two seasons of solid production, Ansah exploded in 2015, leading the Lions with 14.5 sacks and cementing his position as the team's best defender.
With the loss of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh last offseason, the Lions desperately needed one of their other defensive players to step up. Ansah took the leap that many hoped he would, and will likely be the centerpiece of the defense for the foreseeable future.