Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew believes that the loss of Ndamukong Suh will benefit the club in the long term.
The Lions failed to come to an agreement with the 28-year-old before free agency, which allowed him to test the market as several teams competed for his signature.
Suh eventually agreed terms with Miami Dolphins on a six-year deal worth $114m (£75.3m), making the All-Pro the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
Despite losing a player of Suh's quality, Mayhew feels that the NFC North side can take the positives out of not having a large percentage of their salary cap used up by the defensive tackle.
"I think anytime you lose a quality player like that, especially in the short term, that is to your detriment," Mayhew told reporters.
"I think in the long term, I think we're going to be glad we don't have that contract on our books. But in the short term, that's an issue."
Suh recorded 239 tackles, 36 sacks and one interception in his five years with the Lions.
