Colts Expected to Make ‘Strong Push’ for Ndamukong Suh

According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports, the Indianapolis Colts are expected to make a strong push for Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh if he hits free agency:

"“The Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts are expected to make the strongest pushes for impending free-agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh when the early negotiating window opens on Saturday, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports,” writes Getlin.“The guarantees in Suh’s next contract could approach, and potentially exceed $60 million, those sources said. A deal in that neighborhood would top Houston’s J.J. Watt, who got a $100 million deal that guaranteed a reported $51.8 million, a record for a defensive player. As free agency nears Tuesday, a source close to Suh’s camp indicated Suh had a slight preference for Miami, though the Detroit Lions and Colts aren’t far behind.”"

Of course, Florida has a warmer climate and no state income tax which could appeal to Suh over Indianapolis; however, the Colts also feature Andrew Luck and are a better overall football team as a direct result. While Miami has to go through New England every year to win their division, the Colts are fortunate enough to compete against the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars of the world.

Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Still, any team that successfully signs Suh will effectively make him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. The Colts certainly have the cap space at an estimated $43 million, but the team has to be weary about committing too much of their salary to too few of players if they want to field an overall competitive roster, with Andrew Luck‘s mega-contract also looming.

Still, Suh is the best defensive lineman in football not named J.J. Watt and is a true gamechanger at his position. If the Colts are going to overpay, it should be for a great player in theory. Suh would give the Colts somewhat “vanilla defense” a true identity, as he’s tough and mean with a little nastiness in between. Not only in his demeanor, but he’s also the kind of dominant defensive lineman, that can consistently command a double team and that opposing offenses have to account for at all times. The Colts haven’t had that type of player since former franchise pass rushing great Dwight Freeney was in his prime.

What once seemed like a longshot of Suh actually becoming a member of the Colts is slowly becoming closer to reality. Earlier, we noted the Detroit Lions didn’t franchise tag Suh, which gave the Colts a glimmer of hope. However, this is the first news we’ve heard of them genuinely being interested besides mere speculation earlier.

Many NFL experts consider Suh the type of generational player that can transform the Colts defense from so-so to seemingly elite:

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports