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Ndamukong Suh to command $17 million per year

By FanSided Staff

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ndamukong Suh deal is rumored to be around $17 million a year as he continues to shop around for a new team

After wanting a contract that would be more than J.J. Watts’ $100 million dollar deal with the Houston Texans, Ndamukong Suh is reportedly looking for around $17 million a year. This is a steep price, even for the player who is considered to be one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.

Suh began looking on the free agency market once the Detroit Lions would not pay the man such a huge amount. The Lions have already signed quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson to huge contract extensions in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Signing Suh to another huge deal would be crippling to the rest of the roster with the salary cap in mind. So unless Suh is willing to take a pay cut, he might be suiting up in a different uniform in 2015.

A pay cut is the exact opposite of what Suh is looking for. A contract totaling $17 million a year would make Suh one of the highest paid defensive players in the league. Few teams would really be able to afford this under the salary cap. However, some of the front-runners are the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins.

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The Raiders have plenty of cap room to add-on Suh to their roster of young players. They could use the help up front too. Last year they went 3-13, which was the second worst record in the league, behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At this stage in his career, a rebuilding team like the Raiders wouldn’t really fit the goals of the 28-year-old if he wants to win now.

However, the Miami Dolphins, who were 8-8 last season, might be a perfect fit for Suh. Not only could they move some pieces around to get around the salary cap, but they also could be a potential playoff team next season if Suh were to join the team. This is a much more likely place for the pro bowler to end up when all the dust has settled.

Wherever Suh goes to play, he will be making around $17 million a year. A pretty penny for one of the NFL’s premiere defensive linemen. Apparently for Suh, being paid the most in the league out of defensive linemen is more important than staying with the Lions. And he will get exactly that come March 10th, which marks the beginning or free agency in the NFL. Until then, teams like the Raiders and Dolphins will have to sit back and wait until they can pitch what they have to offer to Suh.

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