Nick Fairley, the Detroit Lions defensive tackle, dropped 30 pounds and underwent a procedure to help his sleep apnea prior to the minicamp in June. He also seems to have adopted a new attitude.

Here are several million reasons why Fairley needs a good season:

We’re talking dollars, millions of them. The Lions have not picked up the fifth-year option on Fairley’s contract. They just didn’t see enough from a first-round pick to be worth the money.

So Fairley has something to prove to the Lions and perhaps other NFL teams. The defensive tackle has to show he can play consistently. He always shows flashes of brilliance, but has not been consistent.

Now’s the time for Fairley to step up. If the Lions like what they see, they’ll negotiate a deal for 2015. If not, he’ll be a free agent. His resume will be the film from 2014.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)