Ndamukong Suh to Miami Dolphins Rumors Keep Heating Up
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions remain the only team able to negotiate with Ndamukong Suh’s representatives until tomorrow afternoon. However, that hasn’t slowed down the rumor mill, with most of the smoke coming from the Miami Dolphins.
That heated up today with a report from Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald indicated the Dolphins are “confident” in their ability to land the biggest free agent prize of 2015. Salguero writes:
More from Lions News
- Top 5 revenge games on the Detroit Lions 2023 schedule
- Lions center Frank Ragnow optimistic about continuing to play through toe injury
- Detroit Lions 2023 preseason schedule: Dates, times and opponents
- A new contract extension projection for Lions quarterback Jared Goff
- Louis Riddick thinks Lions wide receivers will be fine without Jameson Williams
"I’m told the Dolphins are confident they’re going to put a great offer on the table for Suh. They are confident they can get him. They are not certain because, obviously, this is a still a competition.Teams that are expected to also show interest include Oakland, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and perhaps Tennessee. Detroit remains a remote possibility for a return."
How can a team that can’t legally speak with the player’s agent be so confident in their ability to land him? Suh’s demands aren’t any secret, and it appears the Dolphins have no issue meeting the terms. More Salguero:
Live Feed
FanSided
"The discussions between Suh’s agent and the Dolphins will include a repeat of the message the team has already heard unofficially: Suh wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid player (negotiable) but definitely its highest-paid non-quarterback (not negotiable).And then the sides can begin laying parameters for a what it is going to take. It is going to take a deal in the vicinity of $102 million over six years. The final deal will average out near $17 million per season but that isn’t the important number.The important numbers are that the deal will have to include about $30-32 million that is fully guaranteed with another $20-$25 million in additional guarantees."
The sense I’ve gotten from fans after the Lions chose not to use the franchise tag on Suh is that the team will have made a huge mistake if Suh leaves via free agency, but will have ultimately gotten it right if they are able to re-sign him.
I’m not so sure it is that cut and dried. The prudence of signing a defensive tackle, even one of Suh’s caliber, to a record-setting contract will be proved in time. Losing Suh would leave a huge hole in the Lions’ defensive line, but will also leave the team with financial flexibility to rebuild that line in a hurry.
With the likes of Nick Fairley, Stephen Paea, Terrance Knighton, Jared Odrick, Dan Williams, Kendall Langford and C.J. Mosley also free agents, this isn’t a bad year to be in the market for a defensive tackle beyond Suh. The money Suh will command will likely leave the Lions with the ability to sign two starting defensive tackles and leave some room for another move.
Next: Lions Can Overcome, Regardless of Suh Outcome
More from SideLion Report
- Top 5 revenge games on the Detroit Lions 2023 schedule
- Lions center Frank Ragnow optimistic about continuing to play through toe injury
- Detroit Lions 2023 preseason schedule: Dates, times and opponents
- A new contract extension projection for Lions quarterback Jared Goff
- 4 wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to acquire this offseason