Wednesday open thread: Should the Lions give Snacks an extension?

The Lions have uncharacteristically had players raising eyebrows this offseason in Allen Park with the start of OTAs. Star defensive players Darius Slay and Damon “Snacks” Harrison have yet to report to OTAs. Slay has made it clear via his twitter that it’s all about the money and wanting more guaranteed money in his contract, although it’s still unclear whether that refers to his current deal that runs through 2020 or his inevitable extension.

Snacks, however, has been more of a mystery, with the Lions denying that his absence is contract-related. In spite of the PR denial, rumors have been in the air that Snacks wants an extension, and understandably so.

Harrison played at an All-Pro level as a run-stuffing interior lineman for the Lions last year after being acquired via trade from the New York Giants. He’s already 30 years old and will turn 31 mid-season, but with two years left on his deal and only a little over $3 million of that guaranteed if the Lions were to cut him, Snacks has very little in terms of job security at the moment. So, that begs the question:

Should the Lions give Snacks an extension?

My answer: No.

Snacks is approaching the end of his prime, and giving him an extension that would start in a season in which he turns 33 years old concerns me. Likewise, run-stuffing defensive linemen don’t necessarily come at a premium the way pass rushers do, which means the Lions could reasonably plan to spend draft capital on a formidable eventual replacement.

There’s no denying Snacks’ game-changing abilities—in no way do I mean to discount his stellar performance for the Lions. I love Snacks as much as the next guy, but this is a business and the Lions can’t risk getting themselves in a sticky financial situation at a position where players don’t necessarily come at a premium.

Your turn.