Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh isn’t expected to re-sign with the Rams this offseason, making him a free agent. Although he’ll be on the market, Suh is limiting his options after wanting to stay on the West Coast, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Given the teams located in the area, this means that the 49ers, Seahawks and Chargers are the likely potential landing spots. Should Los Angeles show interest in the 32-year old defensive tackle?
L.A. has a significant need to upgrade the defensive line as the team has four unrestricted free agents at the position to work with, and the likeliness of them all being back is slim. This all adds up to Suh being an appealing option for the Bolts.
Suh had earned a reputation as one of the league’s dirtiest players during his time with the Dolphins and Lions. He has also seen his sack production drop during five consecutive seasons. However, he’s still a disruptive, interior defensive lineman that can wreak havoc.
Suh was dominant last season next to arguably the league’s best defensive player in Aaron Donald, finishing with 59 total tackles during his campaign with 4.5 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. Now he once again looks poised to cash in during free agency at the start of the new league year.
So what will it take for the Chargers to add one of the league’s most feared defenders? The cost to sign Suh right now likely comes in around $15.4 million. It is slightly more than the $14 million that he made in 2018, according to Spotrac’s Market Value tool.
If Suh did want to come to Los Angeles, that could give the Chargers a scary defensive line. With Suh around, the Bolts can still draft a defensive tackle in the early rounds to groom behind him while he is still productive on a short-term deal.
The bottom line is that Suh’s already made his money in this league and clearly wants a chance at a Super Bowl ring, meaning he may be inclined to accept a reduced deal to join a contender. If he’s willing to take a slight pay cut, this would seem to be a match made in heaven for the Chargers, but if he wants a large bag, the team is better off seeking elsewhere.
