Jim Caldwell disagrees with report saying Lions 'not optimistic' about locking up Suh

Contrary to a report suggesting the Detroit Lions weren't optimistic about signing Ndamukong Suh to a new deal, head coach Jim Caldwell addressed the media Sunday and shared his confidence about the team's chances of locking up the defensive tackle.

“Absolutely,” Caldwell said, via the Detroit News. “I’m always optimistic … and I think without question (Lions management and Suh’s agent) are working at it. And I think something will be done at the appropriate time.”

While it would be in the team's best interests to sign Suh to a long-term deal sooner rather than later, Suh will likely benefit from playing out the rest of his contract and seeking a max deal when he hits the open market.

While Suh's missed several games through suspension, injuries have never really been a problem for the 27-year-old. But it's one of the aspects that could derail a max deal for Suh as the risk of suffering a serious injury before hitting free agency could cost him millions of dollars.

Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch feels the deal will get done, saying Suh will get it completed when he's ready and suggests contract talks are not a big talking point within the team.

“I think the media worries about it more than we do,” Tulloch said. “I know when 90 gets here, he’s going to work. That’s the one guy, since I’ve been in the league, that I never have to worry about when it comes to work. All the outside stuff that goes on, we don’t have to pay attention to that.”