Free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the verge of finalizing a one-year deal for him to replace Gerald McCoy.
It was rumored shortly after the release of long time defensive tackle Gerald McCoy that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were interested in bringing in veteran defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to replace him. Those rumors have come into fruition as the Buccaneers are finalizing a contract with the five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
The deal is rumored to be a one-year agreement between the Buccaneers and Suh, the price however has yet to be seen. It could be assumed the contract will be less than McCoy’s $13 million he would have earned from the Buccaneers if he would not have been cut.
Suh, most recently of the Los Angeles Rams, played on a one-year deal worth $14 million a year ago, so anything less than $10 million would be surprisingly low. The second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, one slot ahead of McCoy, Suh was selected by the Detroit Lions. Suh has also played for the Miami Dolphins in addition to the Lions and Rams.
Ahead of joining his fourth team in the Buccaneers, in addition to the five Pro Bowls, Suh has also been named as an All-Pro three times and the 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has tallied 56 sacks and 107 tackles for loss in his career to this point.
In 2018, Suh managed just four and a half sacks, four tackles for loss, and 19 hits on opposing quarterbacks playing next to back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Pro Football Focus graded Suh out at good 82.6 for his performance in 2018 and most notably put together a torrid postseason run.
After the departure of McCoy, Suh will be expected to anchor the defensive front next to last year’s first round pick Vita Vea. As the Buccaneers look to compete for a 2019 NFC South championship, Suh will need to play a critical part in Tampa Bay, a defense who struggled mightily in a year ago.