Lions, Haloti Ngata engaged in 'ongoing and positive' contract talks

The Detroit Lions need Haloti Ngata to help fill the void left behind by All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency this spring. The team traded for Ngata, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, knowing that he has the veteran expertise to hold Detroit's defense together.

Ngata is in the final year of his current contract. He's slated to make $8.5 million before becoming a free agency next offseason, but Ngata and the Lions could have an extension in the works, according to NFL Media's Rand Getlin.

I'm told contract negotiations between the #Lions and DT Haloti Ngata are ongoing and positive. Big piece of the puzzle for them this year.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) August 17, 2015

Ngata, 31, has spent nine seasons in the NFL. The former 12th-overall selection (2006) made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2009-2013 and anchored a Ravens defense that won the Super Bowl following the 2012 season.

Last season, Ngata missed four games due to suspension and he's currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a sore hamstring. In March, the aging D-lineman told Justin Rodgers of MLive.com that he still has "three good years" left in him, so there's still plenty of hope that he can rediscover his old glory.

(h/t Bleacher Report)