Ndamukong Suh Isn’t Done Yet

Ndamukong Suh Isn't Done Yet
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.

Ndamukong Suh, who was causally linked to the Minnesota Vikings by Bleacher Report back in May, isn’t done yet.

The 35-year-old defensive tackle won’t return to his former employer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Tom Brady’s team recently inked Akiem Hicks, a Viking killer from the Chicago Bears. But Suh wants to press forward elsewhere.

In 12 seasons, Suh has played for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, and aforementioned Buccaneers.

And in those 12 adventures, Suh has quietly been the NFL’s iron man, never missing a single game to injury. He was suspended for a couple of games in 2011, but Suh has played in every game otherwise. He’s also a Super Bowl champion, earning a ring with Tampa Bay during its beatdown of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

In addition to the Vikings, other possible destinations, per the rumor mill, for Suh’s services include the Browns, Colts, Panthers, Raiders, or possibly a Rams reunion. Suh played 63% of all defensive snaps for Tampa Bay in 2021 but had a down year by most standards, firing up a career-low 49.4 grade from Pro Football Focus.

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If the Vikings were indeed interested in the Nebraska alumnus, Suh would likely grab the starting job on the defensive line currently held by Armon Watts. Minnesota experienced unexpected production from Watts in 2021, who had a 61.6 PFF grade, and Watts seems poised to start for the 2022 Vikings if no other free-agent moves are made by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Watts is on tap to prove if 2021 was a flash-in-the-pan season or if he’s a bonafide starter in the league.

The Vikings have the cap space if they’re intrigued by a Suh signing. As of June 19th, Minnesota has about $11 million in cap space. Suh earned $9 million in 2021 and doesn’t figure to be more expensive after his ho-hum performance in the final season with the Buccaneers.

Minnesota is familiar with Suh, too. He has lined up against the Vikings 11 times in his long career, and somehow, teams with Suh are 7-4 (.636) against Minnesota.

Suh turns 36 next January. He was teammates with Vikings quarterback Sean Mannion in Los Angeles. Johnny Mundt was on that 2018 team as well.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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