Buccaneers and Ndamukong Suh Finalizing Deal for One Year

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh are working out the details on a one-year contract. The news comes from sources close to the negotiations.

Suh would take the spot of Gerald McCoy, who the Buccaneers released on Monday. Suh was picked second overall and McCoy third overall in the 2010 NFL draft.

The sources added that Suh wanted to play for Todd Bowles, the new defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers.

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When reporters asked Bruce Arians about Suh on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay head coach refused to talk. He said he wouldn’t make a comment as Suh was not on their team. After a reporter reminded Arians that he could speak about Suh since the player was a free agent, Arians said he was a great player.

McCoy, who is 31, is a six-time Pro Bowler and has been the most visible Bucs’ player the last nine seasons on the field and off, but did not take part in the offseason program of the Bucs that started in April.

The problem was the 2019 salary of $13 million McCoy was to earn of which none was guaranteed. He still had another three years on the current deal.

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Suh was signed by the Los Angeles Rams in March of 2018 to a $14 million one-year deal after being released by the Miami Dolphins. He picked the Rams over several other teams including the Saints, Titans and Raiders. He did so because he said the Rams had an immediate chance to reach the playoffs.

Suh finished the 2018 regular season with just 4.5 sacks, two recovered fumbles and four pass deflections. However, he was instrumental in shutting down Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott in the Rams playoff win in the divisional round and played well in the Rams win over New Orleans in the NFC title game with four tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Ndamukong Suh has missed just two starts in nine seasons and has accumulated 56 quarterback sacks.