Agent Ndamukong Suh Has Special Privileges
March 15th, 2021
Pending Bucs free agent Ndamukong Suh is his own agent, and that fact gives him special privileges under NFL rules.
When the official tampering/negotiation window opens today at noon, Suh won’t be like other unrestricted free agents that are free to work a new contract with a new team. Because Suh will represent himself, he is able to talk directly to coaches. For other guys in Suh’s shoes, only their representatives can talk to teams and explore opportunities until Wednesday at 4 p.m.
So Suh gets a leg up.
For example, if Kliff Kingsbury wants to do a Zoom call with J.J. Watt to pitch Suh this afternoon, or Chucky wants to give Suh a maniacal speech, or Kevin Stefanski wants to push Suh to ring chase with the beastly Browns, that can happen today.
Suh has said publicly he wants to return to Tampa, and the Bucs want him back. But Joe is confident Suh will be making a business decision.
Suh waited out the first wave of free agency last year and re-signed with the Bucs on March 26. In 2019, he first signed with the Bucs in late May.
Does Suh have leverage? Well, consider that few players in NFL history have earned as much money as Suh. He was the No. 2 overall pick in 2010, back when rookies made a fortune and there was no rookie wage scale. Suh’s first contract was for five years and $68 million. Then came $60 million guaranteed from the Dolphins and good money in Los Angeles and Tampa.
So Joe thinks it’s fair to suggest Suh might not be in any hurry to sign an inexpensive contract, considering his investment earnings alone easily could be eight figures this year.
Regardless, Joe would wager a few bucks that Suh is back for a third Bucs season, though making it happen might force the Bucs to cut/trade someone.
Enjoy the latest Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
March 15th, 2021 at 9:35 am
Suh will be back, take a pay cut, but also play way less snaps. It’s all good. Unity in the Community
March 15th, 2021 at 9:44 am
Hopefully Suh stays “Big Girl with the Mad mug”.. lol
Vita Vea’s name for Suh When you put Suh and Vita together you get the foundation of the best run stopping defense in the last several decades. And Suh and Vita are the anchors for Todd to run his 3-4 defense, because Todd loves to bring the heat with the Linebackers. The Bucs have a top 2 or 3 defensive front 7 in the NFL right now. Keep the Front 7 intact, and stay on the Super Bowl track. GO BUCS!!!
March 15th, 2021 at 9:51 am
I thought VV was big girl?
March 15th, 2021 at 9:57 am
Watch Vita’s interview on Pat Macafees show, thats where Vita talked about Suh at practice having a Mad Mug like girl. lol Pat said to Vita, “you can call him Big Girl but not me” lol Now we see why Suh was calling Vita Big Girl at the Super Bowl Celebration lol. Suh was trying to mess with Vita lol GO BUCS!!!!
March 15th, 2021 at 10:04 am
Every minute that passes, sounds like these remaining FA’s will test the market…and we will test the market for their replacements. May the best talent evaluator win.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:06 am
So…..Suh saves about 3% (NFL standard agent percentage) That would be about $250K…..he also saves perhaps half of 8% state taxes…..so, another $320 K if he plays in Tampa….
Suh learned some tricks from his friend, Warren Buffett….smart man…..
March 15th, 2021 at 10:12 am
Front office is going to have to be very creative. Having said that, Bradys restructuring, saving 19 million, will not even take care of Suh, Gronk, Succop, AB and the rookie class. Shaq needs to be signed. He is still young and is a vital piece moving forward. Pay the man his 19 million and worry about the money next year when the salary cap should go up considerably. Creative financing can and should get all of these contracts done. Window is small if you are not all in. Draft and train to replace your aging players and keep the cycle going.
Go Bucs!
PS. Pick up a running back on a cheaper contract that can catch out of the backfield to replace Fournette.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:12 am
I thought the standard agent percentage was much higher than 3%.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:14 am
Where would Suh go and why?
>Tampa is the best place to chase a championship.
>He knows the players and coaches.
>There isn’t a lot of money to pass around this year.
>FL’s income tax is better than OH, CA, IN and most other states.
Suh stays.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:15 am
According to Chron.com, sports agents make between 4-10% of a player’s contract. This dips slightly for the NFL, however, where rules prohibit agents from taking home more than a 3% commission of the player’s salary.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:15 am
Yea I would say Suh is a very sharp guy, this is from May 21 2019 ……. Brandt noted that Suh has made $139 million in the NFL. It’s the most of any defensive player in NFL history. Brandt said Suh is only behind Arizona Cardinals’ superstar wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for career money earned for all non-quarterbacks. Brandt noted that Fitzgerald, a sure Hall of Famer, has made $163 million. Now last year to the most of any defensive player in NFL History. Not to shabby GO BUCS!!!
March 15th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Now ADD last year to the most of any defensive player in NFL History. Not to shabby GO BUCS!!!
March 15th, 2021 at 10:18 am
Well, when you’ve earned that much, and you’re heading to the end of a career, why not take less to win? It would be dumb to leave this team over money.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:37 am
I skipped all the other shaq related post … bcuz they’re not worth it. Like shaq!
Now , suh is worth the $7m yr he will be asking. And … he is more closer to bleeding Bucs than pot belly no biceps 30yr shaq.
Suh will sign for sure. He said it. He’s his own agent. Done. Priority #1 now sign.
On to the next #1. Priority … succop.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:42 am
Suh’s future brand would be much better served if he stayed with the Bucs……he already has a reputation as a mercenary…….staying with the Bucs til he retired would dispel that somewhat.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:47 am
If it’s a choice between Cam Brate and Suh, I’m taking Suh.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:54 am
My kid’s favorite player, one of mine, and I really hope that we can get him back. Old school Chiefs with Christian Okoye would have had a hard time running on Suh and Vita.
March 15th, 2021 at 10:56 am
To me the bottom line is that I really like Suh and Barrett. But I trust the same guys that found them and brought them here, to bring them back if their price is reasonable, and to find a reasonably adequate replacement if that isn’t the case. I’m just really looking forward to see who we are on this team next year,
March 15th, 2021 at 11:01 am
Suh is thinking legacy now. But he isn’t stupid. He won’t take a pay cut because $10m a year is already a bargain for him.
March 15th, 2021 at 11:03 am
Ken Says
“If it’s a choice between Cam Brate and Suh, I’m taking Suh.”
And a coice between Cam and Gronk or Suh? Because by doing what you seem to be suggesting, we would not have the money for Gronk and we would be creating a empty roster spot by resigning Suh.
Cam is not the one to cut.
March 15th, 2021 at 11:06 am
Honestly, if it were me, I would not bring Brown back. He would have to come cheap and he tends to lose control when he works cheap in his second year. We don’t need the distraction.
Wide receiver is where the money is being spent. Licht needs to work out a deal with Godwin to save cap money and drop the tag. Evans has already reworked his deal, I think.
Forget Gronk, unless it’s a last minute addition before the season starts. He’s a luxury.
Rework Cam Brate’s deal (or did he already?)
March 15th, 2021 at 11:08 am
This guy Suh has been absolutely wonderful for the Bucs. I don’t think we win the SB without him. Our LBs and CBs don’t have to focus on the run so much because our guys up front are absolutely beasts against the run. It all came together the last qtr of the year/playoffs.
I wanted Suh so bad in the draft over McCoy, but getting him years later and getting a SB with him is just divine. Great football player.
March 15th, 2021 at 11:21 am
1 year deal. $7.8 million. That’s the minimum it will take.
March 15th, 2021 at 4:43 pm
He’s big buds with Warren Buffet. I’m guessing Suh has his money invested pretty wisely. He might fly around on some other teams dime and maybe get a free meal or two, but I think he’ll be back. If not, thanks for the memories.
March 15th, 2021 at 7:53 pm
Unfortunately Suh will not be back.
He has unfinished business elsewhere.
You guy’s gonna have to pay
“BiG” BuCKS to keep him. 😆
March 18th, 2021 at 9:58 am
Too much in TE contracts right now. You cut Brate. he can sign for much less than his 6 mil or leave. Give the 6 to Suh and guaranteed money over a 2 year contract, spread over 3 so his cap is that for 2021 is that 6 but you pay him 9 and be done with it.
Then restructure a couple guys to get AB, Roches, maybe Fournette and the draft picks and be done with it.