The Detroit Lions on Monday decided to cut ties with Ndamukong Suh and not use the franchise tag on the All-Pro defensive tackle.

The move clears the road for Suh to become an unrestricted free agent if a deal is not reached by 4 p.m. ET Monday.

If the Lions had applied the franchise tag on Suh, it would have cost the team $26.9 million, according to the Detroit Free Press. The team would have had restructure the deals of too many players.

The NFL allows free agents to start negotiating on Saturday. Players can sign with new teams next week.

Suh enjoyed the best season of his career in 2014. He had 8.5 sacks and was instrumental in the Lions having the top rushing defense in the league.

But the former NO. 2 pick out of Nebraska in 2010 has had a troubled career marked by suspension and accusations of being a dirty player.

He has 36 career sacks and has helped the Lions make two playoff appearances. According to multiple reports, Suh will be one of most sought free agents this offseason.

The Lions have plenty of decisions to make, they have 18 unrestricted free agents,including fellow defensive tackles Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen.