Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is one of the most highly anticipated free agents to hit the open market this offseason. Rumors have swirled that he's looking for a deal worth more than the $100 million J.J. Watt got from the Houston Texans.
As arguably the best defensive tackle in football, it's possible he might get something in the ballpark of that dollar amount. But Suh may not even be the one deciding where he'll play next season. Instead, it appears as if his agent Jimmy Sexton will be calling the shots.
"It'll be Jimmy's decision, so we'll go with that," Suh said. "You can call Jimmy if you want to."
When asked directly if that meant that Sexton will choose the team he plays for in 2015, Suh answered, "Probably will. Yup."
It's not uncommon for players of Suh's caliber to have their agents seek out the largest offer in free agency and then accept. It is odd, however, to hear Suh be so upfront about the decision-making process. Normally, top tier free agents at least pretend to want to remain where they are, or even hint at hometown discounts, as Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has done. Suh has not followed that strategy.
That's not to say that a return to the Lions is completely out of the question. Detroit could still use the franchise tag on Suh, though it would cost an enormous $26 million-plus to do so. ESPN's Michael Rothstein argued that the move could be worth it for Detroit, as Suh is their most dominating defensive player and the salary cap is expected to rise in 2015.
Wherever Suh lands, it will be interesting to watch the situation play out. I listed the 27-year-old as the second-best free agent scheduled to become available this offseason. He's a game changer, pure and simple.
