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Ndamukong Suh admits Dolphins signing was about the money

By Cameron La Fontaine

Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ndamukong Suh signed with the Miami Dolphins officially on Wednesday and has no problem admitting it was about the money.

Free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh signed with the Miami Dolphins Wednesday for a huge six-year $114 million contract that makes him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, and he had no problem saying his decision was about the money.

It’s really not all that surprising. Suh has always been up front about the money, and even during the Detroit Lions 2014 season, said that wherever his agent, Jimmy Sexton, chooses for him to go is where he will go. This was something that seemed like a bad omen for the Detroit Lions and enraged the entire fan base, lowering expectations that Detroit would be able to hold on to the superstar defensive lineman.

Ndamukong Suh was the top player in free agency this offseason, and he was paid what the top player in free agency would be expected to. He made it clear that he wanted to be the highest paid defensive player, higher than J.J. Watt’s $100 million deal with the Houston Texans.

Miami gave that to the defensive lineman when they signed him to a huge deal that included $60 million guaranteed even if he busts, which he likely won’t.

Suh was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions where he spent the next five controversial seasons being an absolute beast on the defensive line. While Suh is less well known for his stats, and more well known for his harsh personal fouls that acquired him $216,875 in fines in his five-year career, plus two suspensions that added $187,294 lost wages due to suspension equaled out to $404,169 total in the five years, according to Dave Birkett.

The Detroit Lions had the best rush defense in the NFL in 2014 with Suh at the helm totaling 44 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Ndamukong is headed to a Miami Dolphins defense that ranked 12th in the NFL in total defense last season, and you can expect those rankings to rise after their key addition. Suh proved it was all about the money after the Detroit Lions declined to use a $26.9 million franchise tag on the four-time Pro Bowler which would have acquired for 25 percent of their cap hit.

After Miami’s deal was reported to be $114 million, the Detroit Lions tried their best to get Suh backs with a six-year $102 million deal with $58 million guaranteed, but him and his agent weren’t having any of it and decided to take off to Miami anyway. While Detroit was still confident going into Tuesday, Lions fans knew it was all over when they made a big trade for Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata in exchange for a fourth and fifth round pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft to replace Ndamukong Suh.

Suh will head to Miami for the green, he just hopes to not turn out like Albert Haynesworth. We’ll see if this crippling deal for the Dolphins pays off.

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