Suh signing dominates Day 2
The free agency frenzy, trading outbreak and stunning retirements of the first day of the NFL’s business year gave way to one headliner Wednesday: Ndamukong Suh.
Miami signed the All-Pro defensive tackle and top prize in the free agent crop to a $114 million US, six-year contract. It made Suh the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, surpassing J.J. Watt’s $100 million, six-year deal with Houston.
They expect him to plug the line against the run, and threaten quarterbacks.
“I’m excited about the pressure,” Suh said, referring not to the pass rush but to the expectations that come with such a contract. “I don’t necessarily look at it as pressure. I look at it as something I’m built for.
“This is the ultimate team sport. There’s no way I can do it by myself. I want to be a cornerstone.”
Suh, the second overall pick in 2010, had 36 sacks in five seasons in Detroit, including 8½ in 2014. His presence should boost the performances of ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who have combined for 38 sacks in the past two seasons.
“To get a player of Ndamukong’s stature says a lot about our organization,” director of football operations Mike Tannenbaum said.
Other Wednesday moves:
■ Two days after being released by the Texans, Andre Johnson signed a three-year deal with the Colts. Terms were not immediately available.
Johnson will replace one of his closest friends, Reggie Wayne, and team up with another, Frank Gore, to chase a Super Bowl title.
“That’s what we came here for,” Johnson said when asked if he and former college teammate Gore were the missing pieces.
■ Green Bay re-signed right tackle Bryan Bulaga, ensuring that the NFL’s highestscoring team will keep its entire offence intact for 2015. The deal is believed to be for five years and $34 million, with an $8-million signing bonus.
■ Jeremy Maclin signed a five-year deal with the Chiefs, giving head coach Andy Reid the kind of downthe-field threat that the franchise was sorely lacking last year. He agreed to terms over the weekend, but had to wait for the start of free agency to sign. “This is something I never dreamed could happen,” Maclin said. The contract is worth up to $55 million. The Chiefs also agreed to a three-year deal with offensive guard Paul Fanaika.
■ The Broncos inked contracts with two tight ends, re-signing Virgil Green for $7.5 million over three years and veteran Owen Daniels for three years and $12 million.
Daniels, a two-time Pro Bowler, has played all nine of his seasons for new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak
■ The Jets acquired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick from Houston, and he was replaced there by Brian Hoyer. Fitzpatrick, 32, is expected to push Geno Smith for the starting job with New York. He reunites with Chan Gailey, who coached Fitzpatrick in Buffalo and is the Jets’ new offensive coordinator.
Hoyer, formerly of the Browns, will compete with Ryan Mallett with the Texans.
■ Chicago agreed to terms with LB Pernell McPhee on a five-year contract. McPhee played behind Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil in Baltimore and had 7½ sacks last season.
“I wanted to come and be a part of bringing that tradition back,” McPhee said of the Monsters of the Midway, who haven’t been too monstrous of late. “You know, a hard-nosed playing defence, play with violence, play with an attitude, play with a swag. Just go out there and dominate the game.”
■ Cincinnati refortified its offensive line be re-signing G Clint Boling and OT Eric Winston, the president of the players’ union.
■ Tampa Bay released DE Michael Johnson, an expensive free agent the Bucs added last year, and tackle Anthony Collins. They also agreed to a four-year, $20.5 million deal with linebacker Bruce Carter.
■ The Bills released starting tight end Scott Chandler.
■ St. Louis traded with Houston for backup QB Case Keenum and also re-signed TE Lance Kendricks.
■ Minnesota re-signed DT Tom Johnson, who had 6½ sacks in 2014, and added QB Shaun Hill to back up Teddy Bridgewater.
■ New England added to its receiving group by signing Brandon Gibson and Kevin Dorsey and re-signing Brian Tyms.
■ Oakland bulked up its defence with DT Dan Williams and LB Curtis Lofton.
■ Philadelphia added CB Walter Thurmond III on a one-year contract.