Report: Ndamukong Suh will sign record-breaking contract with Dolphins
Ndamukong Suh will sign a $114-million contract with $60 million guaranteed to join the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
The deal cannot be signed until Tuesday.
Suh's $60-million guarantee is the largest sum ever given to a defensive player, topping J.J. Watt ($51.8 million).
The 28-year-old defensive tackle recorded 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks last season, with some considering him to be the best player at his position.
Entering his sixth season, Suh will be tasked with revamping the Dolphins' front seven, alongside star defensive end Cameron Wake.
... And that prompted a number of the teams to back off, which seems to have brought clarity to the Suh chase. Raiders helped drive $$$ up.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2015
In Detroit's 4-3 scheme, Suh faced consistent double teams and excelled as a pass rusher. However, Suh is known for being arguably the most dominant run stopper in the NFL and will be expected to help fix Miami's 24th-ranked run defense.
Also, the Lions offered DT Ndamukong Suh a deal worth $17 million per year with $58 million in guarantees.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2015
Under Kevin Coyle's 4-3 base defense, Suh should have little trouble adjusting to the Dolphins' playbook, a terrifying proposition for AFC East running backs.
Suh had spent the entirety of his career with the Lions after being selected with the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Detroit believes Suh ought to re-consider, with a team source noting that he cannot sign with the Dolphins until Tuesday.
"[The Miami Dolphins & Ndamukong Suh] can't finalize until Tuesday. We will hope he comes to his senses," a Lions source told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "Key is playing for coach [Jim] Caldwell and [defensive coordinator] Teryl [Austin]. Plus good players around him. Can't get that there..."
Considered by many to be the most highly sought after free agent on this spring's market, Suh is a major coup for Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey.
Hickey has spent most of the offseason undoing a series of catastrophic personnel moves made by previous Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland.
Upon joining the Dolphins, Suh becomes the new face of the franchise and will be under pressure to lead the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.