NFL free agency has been open for 10 days, and only one elite player remains unsigned: Ndamukong Suh.
The five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle has gone the opposite way of his peers who rushed to sign big-money deals before the official league year began. With four teams reportedly in the hunt - the Saints, Titans, Rams, and Jets - Suh hasn't been in a hurry to put pen to paper.
While some may wonder what's taking so long, the 31-year-old's approach to free agency is actually more logical than the way things usually shake out.
Firstly, the opportunity to meet with multiple teams and get comfortable with the city, potential coaches, and front-office personnel is something far too few players take advantage of. Big-money contracts come with big expectations, and it's awfully hard to meet those if a player doesn't like where he's living or who he's working with. Brock Osweiler signing with the Houston Texans without ever speaking to Bill O'Brien in 2016 is a perfect example of why players shouldn't blindly chase the money.
Suh is also not at risk of missing opportunities by waiting too long, as no other defensive tackle on the market can match his production. Some players sign quickly in fear of being stuck with limited options, but top-level guys are in a league of their own with no shortage of suitors.
The former Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions defender's decision hasn't been helped by the four teams involved, as they each offer a different combination of pros and cons.
| Team | Cap space |
|---|---|
| Titans | $45.33M |
| Jets | $37.04M |
| Rams | $35.18 |
| Saints | $5.6M |
(Cap numbers courtesy: Spotrac)
Jets
The Jets emerged late and are the only suitor that hasn't had Suh in for a visit, but the 31-year-old should already be familiar with the area after spending last summer interning in Manhattan.
On top of reportedly offering the largest contract for Suh, New York can provide more off the field than the other suitors. The 31-year-old has shown an interest in building his business portfolio and would have plenty of opportunities to do so with the Jets. The downfall with "Gang Green" is that they give Suh the worst chance to win right away.
Titans
The Titans can't really argue they'll give Suh his best chance at a championship, but they can actually give the defensive tackle more than the Jets, as they have more cap space and there's no state income tax in Tennessee.
If Suh wants to just make his money and play football, the Titans will likely be his choice. While they cracked the playoffs last season, they're still in the up-and-coming stage of their franchise, with a young quarterback and a first-time head coach. That's not to say Tennesse wouldn't be a contender if they added Suh, but if it's a win-or-go-home attitude he's carrying, it may be the Big Easy or Hollywood where he makes his next home.
Saints
The Saints are an interesting suitor, as interior defensive line wasn't expected to be a need for them and they don't have much cap space. But the move to go after Suh says a lot about why he may choose to don the black and gold.
As Drew Brees and Sean Payton age, the pressure to bring another Lombardi Trophy to NOLA mounts and significant upgrades at any position are welcome. Given their cap situation, the Saints would be forced to offer Suh a short-term deal, which may be his preference if he wants to hit free agency again before he's too old. New Orleans is a more experienced team than the Rams, which was likely a selling point during Suh's visit. However, if the decision comes down to dollars and cents, the Saints don't have the cap space to compete.
Rams
After making major defensive upgrades through trades this offseason, the Rams have been quiet in free agency other than their pursuit of Suh. That inactivity has left the team with plenty of cap space to offer Suh what he wants and pair him with Donald to create possibly the best defensive tackle tandem ever. Behind the Saints, the Rams offer the best chance to win right away, though their inexperience in the playoffs isn't something Suh can help with.
Income tax is a big worry in California, but he would have opportunities outside football to make some extra cash in Hollywood. He was also raised on the west coast in Oregon, so if he wants to be closer to home, the other suitors may be out of luck.
