New stomping grounds: 6 landing spots for Ndamukong Suh
The Miami Dolphins released Ndamukong Suh on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation, freeing up a big chunk of cap space while one of the league's elite defensive tackles hits the open market. The 31-year-old is still playing at a high level and likely wants to remain one of the best-paid players at his position. Early in free agency, several teams can afford to bring in the five-time Pro Bowler.
Here are six clubs that could be in the running to land the NFL's most infamous stomper.
New York Jets
Estimated cap room: $81.2M
While they may eventually regret such a decision, the Jets have the ability to give Suh a blank check to convince him to come to New York. The team already made Trumaine Johnson the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL and still has among the most cap space in the league. Suh and 23-year-old Leonard Williams could create a dynamic duo that would give the Jets a new identity.
Suh has also shown a lot of interest in expanding his business portfolio, interning with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross' real estate company in Manhattan last offseason. The big-city lure of New York plus a hefty salary may be exactly what Suh is searching for.
Indianapolis Colts
Estimated cap room: $73.3M
The Colts are well-suited to offer Suh a deal that would maintain his status as one of the three highest-paid defensive tackles, and presumably present him a better chance to win than the Jets. The Colts are switching to a 4-3 defense this season, and could use players with extended experience in that system. They're also set to get a healthy Andrew Luck back and hired a new head coach fresh off a Super Bowl win. The city of Indianapolis may not be as attractive as New York, Miami, or even Detroit, but if Suh wants to hunker down and focus on football for the last years of his prime, the Colts may be his next team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Estimated cap room: $60.1M
The 31-year-old came into the league alongside another premier defensive tackle in Gerald McCoy, who was drafted one spot after Suh in 2010. Now he has the chance to play beside him and give a big boost to a struggling Buccaneers D-line while staying in Florida's warm weather. There's at least one player for Suh to pair up with on any D-line, so Tampa Bay's biggest selling point may be familiarity, since he would be moving to the closest franchise.
Washington Redskins
Estimated cap room: $29.5M
Wildly overpaying Suh would fit the Redskins' reputation perfectly. He would run the risk of being compared to Albert Haynesworth forever if the deal didn't result in immediate success, but Suh already isn't very well-liked by players or fans, so that may not bother him much. Washington's defense ranked last against the run in 2017 and could certainly use Suh - the team will just need to pay big to get it.
Oakland Raiders
Estimated cap room: $28.5M
The middle of the Raiders' defense needs help in the worst way, and Suh's "I don't care if you like me" attitude could bring back memories of the old-school black and silver. Oakland has a few needs to fill, so giving Suh a deal in the $16-million-per-season range he's seeking could squeeze them tight against the cap, but it isn't impossible. The Raiders have been a hot free-agent destination the last two offseasons, though have yet to make a major splash in 2018's market.
Seattle Seahawks
Estimated cap room: $27.8M
The exodus from Seattle this offseason left a lot of holes in the Seahawks' roster, but also created enough cap room to go after Suh, an Oregon native who's been training in the city as recently as Tuesday. With Michael Bennett traded, Sheldon Richardson likely departing in free agency, and Cliff Avril coming off a career-threatening injury, the Seahawks' defense will lack the talent it's been accustomed to on the line in recent years. They may be one of the only teams Suh would consider taking a discount for, since they can offer him the closest thing to a hometown return.
(Salary-cap figures courtesy: Spotrac)