MIAMI, Fl. — As has long been speculated, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will reportedly not be re-signing with the Detroit Lions.
Instead, Suh will sign a $114 million deal with the Miami Dolphins once free agency opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to ESPN.
The contract, which includes $60 million in guaranteed money, is the most ever for a defensive player in NFL history, easily surpassing Houston defensive end J.J. Watt’s $100 million contract.
Suh’s new reported contract will not only make him the richest defensive player in NFL history, but also the 5th highest paid player in the league, only trailing quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Drew Brees.
Suh’s price tag was clearly too much for the Lions. Detroit’s best offer was a reportedly a 6-year deal for $102 million with $58 million guaranteed, which still would have made him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.
With Suh on the move to Miami, the Lions will likely put more emphasis on trying to re-sign defensive tackles Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosely or look to fill the void in the upcoming NFL draft.
