The best defensive tackle in free agency, Ndamukong Suh, is expected to leave Detroit for Miami. The second best defensive tackle in free agency, Nick Fairley, may leave Detroit for Cincinnati.
Fairley is visiting the Bengals on Wednesday, Josina Anderson of ESPN reports.
The 27-year-old Fairley was the Lions’ first-round draft pick in 2011 and has been a good player when healthy. But injuries and off-field concerns led the Lions not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, which is why he’s a free agent now. The Lions have expressed interest in keeping Fairley, and if he stays in Detroit he’d be paired with the newly acquired Haloti Ngata.
But the Lions may not get that chance. The Bengals are interested, and they’ll get a shot at signing Fairley in less than 24 hours.