Buccaneers smartly playing the waiting game with defensive leader
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers and Ndamukong Suh may each want to find a way to make a deal happen, but is this financially feasible in the current climate?
Ndamukong Suh has become one of the most important parts of the turnaround for the Buccaneers over the course of the last few years.
Suh joined a losing team with a losing culture and next to no defense, and that unit transformed from one of the worst in the NFL upon his arrival to a group that kept Patrick Mahomes from scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
A change like this is nothing to take lightly, especially when guys like Suh are such substantial leaders, but the fact that Suh isn’t already back with the Bucs officially is telling.
The salary cap is very tight at the moment. Tampa still has plenty of free agents to bring back and has a rookie class to sign. Ndamukong Suh also isn’t a cheap free agent option, even if he is getting up there in age.
While it is hard to create direct comparisons in the NFL, Calais Campbell’s recent $12.5 million deal could show that Suh’s value on the market could price him out of Todd Bowles’ grasp.
It makes sense that the Buccaneers would want to bring back one of their defensive leaders for one more go at a Super Bowl, but the smarter move is actually what is happening; wait and see.
The defensive linemen in the draft aren’t exceptional, but Bowles has a way of getting the most out of young options. A cheap guy on a rookie deal that could develop into a contributor alongside Vita Vea and William Gholston isn’t the worst idea.
It could also make sense that the Bucs bring Suh back if the draft and free agency don’t address the position. This could also give time for Suh to evaluate his options and see if he is willing to play on a friendlier deal for the Buccaneers.
While no one knows exactly what is going to happen, the Bucs are playing this the right way by seeing what they have before they shell any money out to older players.
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