Ndamukong Suh

Dolphins Meet With DT Ndamukong Suh

December 20th, 2023 at 3:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ndamukong Suh showed last year he was fine waiting well into a season before signing with a team. The Eagles added Suh in November 2022 and used him for the rest of the season. Suh expressed interest this offseason in playing a 14th NFL slate, and one of his former teams is open to taking him up on it.

The Dolphins brought in Suh for a free agency visit Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Suh played for the Dolphins from 2015-17, coming to Miami after the team authorized a then-defender-record contract during the ’15 free agency period. Miami has also been busy in adding pieces up front this year, recently signing Jason Pierre-Paul off New Orleans’ practice squad and bringing back Melvin Ingram. While the Dolphins waived JPP on Tuesday, Ingram is readying for a return. No Suh deal is imminent just yet, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

Moving Suh’s $19MM-per-year contract off the payroll in 2018, the Dolphins have changed power structures since. Chris Grier is in place as the top decision-maker, while the team has twice changed HCs (from Adam Gase to Brian Flores to Mike McDaniel) since Suh’s time in Miami. Suh, however, does have extensive experience in a 3-4 defense from his time with the Rams and Buccaneers. That would help regarding a fit with new DC Vic Fangio.

Named to the 2010s’ All-Decade team, Suh is past his prime. But the former No. 2 overall pick has been one of the most durable defenders in NFL history. Suh has never missed a game due to injury, playing in 199 regular-season contests and 15 playoff games over the course of his career. Last season marked Suh’s first stretch as a backup, with the Eagles bringing him in as a midseason reinforcement during a Jordan Davis IR stay. Suh played in eight regular-season games and all three postseason contests for the NFC champions, logging a 35% snap rate.

Suh made the Pro Bowl and picked up his fifth All-Pro nod while a Dolphin in 2016. After teaming with Aaron Donald to help the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII, Suh worked alongside Pierre-Paul and Shaquil Barrett to produce a Buccaneers Super Bowl win two years later. The Bucs did not re-sign Suh last year, and he waited until November to return to an active roster. Suh spoke with the Ravens earlier this year about a deal and was not concerned about waiting well into the season to catch on somewhere.

Christian Wilkins spearheads the Dolphins’ defensive line, while the recently extended Zach Sieler operates as a quality sidekick. Raekwon Davis sits as Miami’s third D-line starter. Although the team lost edge rusher Jaelan Phillips last month, it still has the services of its top interior D-linemen.

The 49ers pursued Suh along with the Eagles last year. Although the NFC-leading team played Week 15 without starting D-tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave, Kyle Shanahan said this week the team had not discussed anything with Suh. With three weeks left in the regular season, time is running out for Suh to find a home and attempt an acclimation effort before the playoffs. But the menacing DT still represents an interesting piece for a contender to add ahead of a Super Bowl push.

Ndamukong Suh Eyeing Midseason Deal; Ravens Have Spoken To DT

October 23rd, 2023 at 9:50am CST by Adam La Rose

Ndamukong Suh remains unsigned well into the 2023 season, something which held true at this point last year. Another midseason agreement is on the veteran defensive tackle’s radar, though, and at least one team has discussed a deal.

During part of his early-season contributions on Sky Sports‘ NFL coverage, Suh revealed the Ravens have spoken with him about a potential contract (video link). Baltimore played in London during Week 6, which provided the parties the opportunity to meet in person over the matter of a potential arrangement which would see him make another midseason return to the NFL.

Suh joined the Eagles in Week 11 last year, paving the way for him to play in a rotational capacity while helping the team reach the Super Bowl. The 36-year-old is in a similar situation now, after he made it clear in the offseason that he was not eyeing a contract before training camp. With the summer (and more than one quarter of the campaign) having come and gone, it will be interesting to see how much of a market he generates as he readies for a return to game action.

The 2010s All-Decade member recorded 10 tackles and one sack while logging a 35% snap share during his time with the Eagles in the regular season. He added three QB hits in the playoffs, and similar usage and production would likely await him in Baltimore if he were to sign there. The Ravens have had a number of contributors along their defensive front this year, despite the offseason departures of defensive end Calais Campbell and 2022 sack leader Justin Houston.

Even without those veterans (along with edge rushers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo) for all or most of the year, the Ravens have posted a league-leading 29 sacks through seven contests. Along the interior, former third-rounder Justin Madubuike has had a strong start with 5.5 sacks. That matches his career-best total from last season, and has him on track to cash in during free agency with a deal from the Ravens or another team.

Suh would have a part-time role playing behind Madubuike and Co. at the DT spot if he were to sign with the Ravens. As the three-time All-Pro mentioned, however, plenty is yet to be determined with respect to his future as he prepares for a 14th NFL season.

DT Ndamukong Suh Eyeing Post-Training Camp Deal

May 16th, 2023 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Ndamukong Suh is looking to continue his playing career in 202e3, but a deal with a new team being signed in the near future should not be expected. The veteran defensive tackle recently clarified his intentions heading into what will be his 14th season in the NFL.

“I have no desire to be in a training camp,” the three-time All-Pro said during an appearance on NFL Total Access. “I will come in and watch and look and give some advice, but when Week 1 happens, I’ll be ready” (h/t Grant Gordon of NFL.com).

Suh went unsigned for the first 10 weeks of the 2022 season before ultimately joining the Eagles. That allowed him to provide Philadelphia’s highly-productive defensive front with added depth, and make another run to the Super Bowl. The 2010s All-Decade member has appeared in three of the past five title games, winning one with the Buccaneers in 2020.

That came in the middle of his three-year stint in Tampa Bay, one in which he continued to demonstrate his durability and consistent production. Suh recorded back-to-back seasons with six sacks in 2020 and 2021, while operating as a full-time starter as he had at every stop along the way in his career up to that point. That came to an end last season during his midseason run with the Eagles, as he saw just a 35% snap share.

A repeat of that workload would likely be in store for him in 2023, given his age (36) and the lack of familiarity he would have with a new team having missed the offseason and training camp upon arrival. Even as a depth option, though, Suh would be a welcomed addition to any number of teams seeking experience along the interior. A return to the Eagles was made less likely by their decision to draft Jalen Carter ninth overall, marking the second consecutive year in which they spent their top pick on a defensive tackle.

The 49ers – the other team Suh had been contemplating a deal with last year – meanwhile, made a splash in free agency by signing Javon Hargrave. That could also take them out of the running for further investments at the position this offseason, but it will be worth watching how Suh’s market amongst other teams develops deeper into the summer.

49ers Pursued DT Ndamukong Suh

November 20th, 2022 at 6:19pm CST by Ely Allen

After failing to find a home through the first 10 weeks of the 2022 NFL season, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh made his season debut today with the Eagles, who signed him earlier this week. The 35-year-old was in an unfamiliar position as he sat in free agency well into November, but Suh found a home with a Super Bowl contender and made his debut today against the Colts.

While reports made the rounds linking Suh to teams like the Raiders and Browns, the only other option confirmed by Suh is the 49ers, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports. Suh communicated by phone that his decision came down to Philadelphia or San Francisco. The obvious reason for Suh’s attraction is the presence of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek on the 49ers coaching staff. Kocurek was present throughout Suh’s All-Pro career tenure in Detroit, providing Suh with a familiar face in the Bay Area.

There was likely mutual interest, as well, as the 49ers deal with a litany of injuries along the defensive line. Javon Kinlaw and Maurice Hurst remain on injured reserve while Arik Armstead and Kalia Davis have both missed time with recent injuries. Bringing in Suh would’ve provided some much-needed depth as Kevin Givens and Hassan Ridgeway anchor the middle of the line amidst all the absences.

One team we know didn’t reach out is the Cowboys. Owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones told the media that the team “didn’t have contact” with Suh because they “like where (they) are with (their) big boys in the middle,” according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Jones is referring to a stash of tackles that includes Johnathan Hankins, Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, Carlos Watkins, and Neville Gallimore. That collection was enough to convince Jones to stay his hand in regard to Suh.

The reason Suh chose the Eagles seems extremely clear. The Eagles come into Week 11 atop the NFC, despite their shocking loss to the Commanders on Monday, and are considered favorites in the conference that has seen a remarkably weird year. Suh has twins. He won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and has decided that he needs a ring for each twin.

He went so far as to take an extremely team-friendly deal in Philadelphia, as his main goal is just to win another Super Bowl. In addition to sacrificing money in the contract, Suh will appear off the bench for the first time in his career. Through the first 12 seasons of his career, not only did Suh show an iron-man resiliency, only missing two games while playing in 191, he also started all 191 games that he appeared in. With Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave fairly secure in their starting jobs on the line, Suh remains behind them on the depth chart.

That may change as Suh gets more comfortable with his new team, but the Eagles were a bit unsure today on his role considering the short amount of time he had to learn the defense, according to James Palmer of NFL Network. Despite any hesitancies they held in playing him this week, Suh found a way to make an impact today with three tackles, a half-sack, and a quarterback hit in limited time off the bench.

Contract Details On Eagles’ DT Signings

November 19th, 2022 at 3:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following a down stretch against the run — one coming without first-round run-stuffer Jordan Davis — the Eagles made some adjustments. They added interior defensive linemen Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh in a two-day span.

Despite Suh sporting a better resume in terms of stats and accolades, the Eagles gave he and Joseph the same terms to sign. Both deals include a $750K base salary for the rest of the season, with escalators that could bump up the prices to $2.5MM, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter links).

Each contract contains $250K in per-game roster bonuses, per Yates, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio details playing-time bumps available to Suh (and presumably available to Joseph). Suh can earn $62.5K for each game in which he plays at least 30% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps. He can collect an additional $31K per each game in which he plays 35% of the Eagles’ snaps, providing a loose indication of the team’s plans for the 12-year veteran.

Should Suh see action on at least 30% of the Eagles’ regular-season defensive snaps, he will collect $125K for each Eagles playoff win. If Suh cannot hit that regular-season snap threshold, Florio adds he will receive $125K for each Philly playoff win in which he plays at least 30% of the team’s defensive snaps.

Both Suh and Joseph displayed tremendous durability during their previous tours of duty. Both 2010 draftees — Suh second overall, Joseph 46th overall — have played at least 170 games (Suh 191, Joseph 171). Suh has never missed a game due to injury. Both reside in the top 30 all time in terms of starts by a defensive tackle.

The Eagles added these two to a D-line that now has Davis and Marlon Tuipulotu on IR. Joseph and Suh will join a healthy group that houses Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Milton Williams inside. The Eagles will ask the newcomers to help a run defense that, thanks to the Texans’ 168 rushing yards in Week 9 and the Commanders’ 149 on Monday, has slipped to 20th in Davis’ absence.

Eagles Sign DT Ndamukong Suh

November 17th, 2022 at 10:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

In rather swiftly developing news, the Eagles are loading up on their defensive front. Minutes after news emerged indicating the NFC East leaders were in talks with Ndamukong Suh, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the parties have a deal in place (Twitter link). The Eagles have announced the agreement.

This is a one-year deal for Suh, who has been a free agent since his Buccaneers contract expired in March. The Eagles have now added Suh and Linval Joseph to their interior D-line corps over the past two days. Suh placed the Eagles atop his destination list recently, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets, and the 8-1 team will pounce to add one of the most durable players in NFL history.

It is not exactly common for players of Suh’s caliber to sit in free agency until mid-November, but the former No. 2 overall pick saw the Bucs move on without him this offseason.. Both the Raiders and Browns were linked to Suh, but subsequent reports did well to shoot down those teams’ interest. After an unusual year for the All-Decade-teamer, he will land with a Super Bowl contender armed with one of the deeper D-lines you’ll see.

Suh is now 35, and he has drifted off the Pro Bowl level. While the former Lions All-Pro has not been honored with a Pro Bowl nod since his second Dolphins season (2016), he has continued to produce. The five-time Pro Bowler played a key role for the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV-winning team two seasons ago and is coming off back-to-back six-sack seasons.

The inside pass rusher totaled 1.5 sacks during Tampa Bay’s 2020 postseason run, joining teammates Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul in hounding Patrick Mahomes during that home-site romp. In his most recent game — a divisional-round clash with the Rams — Suh hit Matthew Stafford four times and forced a fumble to help the Bucs erase a 24-point deficit. For his career, Suh has 70.5 sacks and 130 tackles for loss.

During his prime, the menacing defender posed as one of the most difficult blocking assignments of this era. While the former Lions, Dolphins, Rams and Bucs lineman is a bit past that point in his career, he has displayed incredible durability for his lot of employers. Suh has started 191 career games and has never missed one due to injury. In Suh and Joseph, 34, the Eagles now have two of the most experienced D-tackles in NFL annals. Joseph ranks in the top 30 all time for starts (162) by a defensive tackle; Suh’s start total slots 24th in NFL history for all D-linemen.

The Eagles’ defensive line corps now houses an astonishing number of accomplished veterans. Philly rosters Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat and Robert Quinn on the edge and now has Suh, Joseph, Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave inside. (Derek Barnett is also on Philadelphia’s payroll, but the former first-round D-end is out for the season.) This gives DC Jonathan Gannon considerable options, even without first-rounder Jordan Davis available.

Davis’ return will give the Birds one of the highest-profile D-tackle crews in modern NFL history. Of course, this could also be classified as an aging D-line. Five of members of this reconfigured front are at least 31, but Suh and Joseph will give the Eagles a chance to rotate more up front. Cox played 70 snaps against the Commanders on Monday.

Joseph and Suh will join an Eagles team that has seen its run defense slip in recent weeks. Davis’ absence has hurt Philly’s capabilities in this area. The Texans totaled 168 rushing yards in Week 9, while the Commanders racked up 152 — on a whopping 49 carries — on Monday. It will be interesting to see how quickly both newcomers will be ready to suit up. Davis cannot return until Week 13.

Eagles, Ndamukong Suh Discussing Deal

November 17th, 2022 at 12:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked to teams this offseason, Ndamukong Suh has remained in free agency since his Buccaneers contract expired. The All-Decade defensive tackle who had never missed an NFL game due to injury has missed half the season.

But prospects of Suh resurfacing with a contender appear viable. The Eagles have discussed a deal with the veteran D-lineman this week, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports tweets. While the Eagles have since signed Linval Joseph, he may not have been a Suh backup plan. Despite the Eagles having signed Joseph, Glazer adds they remain interested in Suh (Twitter link).

With Joseph and Robert Quinn being added in-season, the Eagles’ defensive line is now one of the most veteran-heavy position groups in recent memory. Joseph and Quinn joined a stable including Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat. Derek Barnett is also on Philly’s payroll, but the former first-round pick is out for the season.

Experience notwithstanding, the Eagles have run into some trouble defending the run. Joseph is in Philly to help with that issue. Suh’s skillset differs somewhat from Joseph’s, with far more pass-rushing production on the former’s resume, but the Eagles clearly sense an opportunity this season. Being 8-1, such aggressiveness makes sense.

Suh, 35, spent the past three seasons with the Bucs. But they moved in a different direction this offseason, drafting Logan Hall in the second round and signing Akiem Hicks. Connections to the Raiders, Vikings and Browns followed, though conflicting reports emerged on the Las Vegas and Cleveland fronts. This led to a quiet period for the durable veteran, who drifted off the radar for a stretch. But he joins Odell Beckham Jr. as a high-end free agent available for a contender seeking a second-half boost.

An Eagles fit would be interesting given the team’s investments at D-tackle. Cox, Hargrave and now Joseph populate Philly’s group inside, but Jordan Davis‘ return would minimize opportunities beyond the team’s top three here. The Eagles have missed Davis’ presence inside. Since the first-round pick went down against the Steelers, the Eagles have struggled against opposing rushing attacks. The Texans amassed 168 rushing yards in Week 9, while the Commanders totaled 152 in their upset win Monday. The Commanders kept going to the run well against the heavy favorite, too; their 49 attempts were the most by any non-Eagles or Ravens ground attack since 2018.

Raiders Interested In Ndamukong Suh

August 20th, 2022 at 10:02am CST by Ben Levine

It’s been almost two months since the Raiders were first connected to Ndamukong Suh, but we haven’t heard a whole lot since that initial report. It sounds like the lack of progress on a potential contract is due to money. According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the Raiders do have interest in Suh but not at his current asking price.

The Raiders’ interest in the veteran is a new development. When the two sides were first connected in June, it was mostly one sided, with Suh tweeting that a stint in Las Vegas “could be fun.” The defensive lineman also went as far as to reach out to Raiders players like Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. However, at that time, it was reported that the Raiders weren’t especially interesting in adding the free agent to their roster.

Suh’s demands, which Reed pegs at around $9MM per year, is one reason why the Raiders haven’t made a stronger push to sign him. However, the coaching staff also wants to see what they’ve got from their in-house options. Both Johnathan Hankins and Bilal Nichols returned from PUP this week after sitting out all of training camp and most of OTAs. Reed opines that the organization wants to see how these two players look on the field before pivoting to an option like Suh.

Suh’s run of Pro Bowls stopped in 2016, but he became a key piece for Rams and Bucs Super Bowl-bound teams in the years that followed. Last season, he registered six regular-season sacks and added four hits on Matthew Stafford in Tampa Bay’s narrow divisional-round loss. The 35-year-old DT flirted with a return to the Buccaneers earlier this offseason, but it sounds like that ship has sailed. The Vikings and Browns have also been mentioned as potential landing spots for Suh.

Browns Not Interested In Ndamukong Suh, Could Have Interest In Sheldon Richardson

July 19th, 2022 at 6:50pm CST by Ben Levine

A report from last week hinted that the Browns could have some interest in Ndamukong Suh. That doesn’t appear to be the case, but the organization could still have interest in adding a defensive lineman. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, reports connecting Suh to Cleveland are “unfounded,” and “there doesn’t seem to be much interest” in adding the veteran. However, if the team does add a defensive tackle, Sheldon Richardson could be an option.

Richardson spent two seasons in Cleveland, collecting 126 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 32 games with the organization. Richardson originally inked a three-year deal with the Browns in 2019, but after he refused to take a pay cut following the 2020 campaign, he was let go. He ended up catching on with the Vikings for the 2021 season, starting seven of his 17 games while collecting 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

As Cabot notes, the 31-year-old defensive tackle is still well liked from his time in Cleveland, with the reporter citing Richardson’s ability to help “patch things up” between Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield following the former’s suspension in 2019. Beyond his locker room presence, Richardson could also provide some guidance to the Browns’ younger defensive lineman, although Cabot hints that the organization may be content rolling with their current grouping.

The team is high on fourth-round rookie Perrion Winfrey, and they also want to see what they’ve got from third-year pro Jordan Elliott and free agent addition Taven Bryan. However, there’s always a chance a spot could open up, and if the Browns decide they need some reinforcement at defensive tackle, there’s a good chance Richardson will get a call.

One name that apparently won’t be called is Suh. The veteran’s run of Pro Bowls stopped in 2016, but Suh became a key piece for Rams and Bucs Super Bowl-bound teams in the years that followed. Last season, he registered six regular-season sacks and added four hits on Matthew Stafford in Tampa Bay’s narrow divisional-round loss.

Browns Interested In DT Ndamukong Suh?

July 13th, 2022 at 2:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

2:10pm: Some cold water is falling on a potential Browns-Suh partnership. The Browns are not pursuing the 12-year veteran standout, with Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com noting (via Twitter) the team has not shown interest throughout the offseason. Suh will likely land somewhere, but despite questions at D-tackle, Cleveland may well pass.

10:10am: Both the Browns’ primary defensive tackle starters from last season — Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell — are no longer with the team. Although Jadeveon Clowney filled one D-line need by committing to return to Cleveland, the Browns have far less certainty at the spots between Clowney and Myles Garrett.

The team appears interested in seeing if Ndamukong Suh will fill one of those holes. Suh is on the Browns’ radar, according to USA Today’s Tyler Dragon (on Twitter). The All-Decade defensive lineman should be expected to land with a team, thus committing to a 13th NFL season, ahead of training camp.

The Raiders and Vikings have expressed interest as well, with the former perhaps not as interested in a partnership as Suh is. But the Browns have long loomed as a likely Suh suitor. With $48.5MM in cap space, Cleveland holds $25MM more than the team with the second-most cap room. The Browns would make a clear upgrade with Suh at D-tackle.

Cleveland added ex-Jacksonville first-rounder Taven Bryan in free agency and drafted Perrion Winfrey in the fourth round. The team also rosters former third-rounder Jordan Elliott, who started three games last season. These potential Garrett-Clowney supporting-casters obviously boast profiles several tiers below Suh’s.

With the Buccaneers moving on, after drafting Logan Hall in Round 2 and subsequently signing Akiem Hicks, Suh is likely to join a fifth NFL team. Although the former No. 2 overall pick has declined, as he enters his age-35 season, Suh remains effective and has been one of the most durable players in NFL history. Suh has never missed a game due to injury, having started in 191 games (plus 12 more playoff contests) since his 2010 rookie season.

Cleveland has both money and a clear need, but Suh’s decision also may come down to Deshaun Watson‘s fate. The longer the recently acquired quarterback is suspended, the less likely the Browns are to be a contending team. When the Browns traded for Watson in March, they looked like one of the AFC’s better squads. A full-season Watson ban, a scenario that has gained steam in recent weeks, would greatly diminish the 2022 Browns’ capabilities and likely reduce their appeal for veteran free agents.

Suh’s run of Pro Bowls stopped in 2016, and the Dolphins bailed on their big-ticket contract after the ’17 season. But Suh became a key piece for Rams and Bucs Super Bowl-bound teams in the years that followed. Last season, he registered six regular-season sacks and added four hits on Matthew Stafford in Tampa Bay’s narrow divisional-round loss.

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