NFL Notes: Ndamukong Suh, Jets, Titans

March 24, 2018

According to Jordan Schultz, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll has expressed “bonafide interest” in free agent DT Ndamukong Suh. While Suh and the Seahawks have spoken “multiple times“, according to Schultz, Seattle’s lack of cap space has made contract negotiations difficult at this time.
Schultz also reports that the Jets have been “very aggressive” in pursuing Suh along with the Titans, Rams and Saints and they expect him to have a final decision soon.

Rich Cimini of ESPN expects free agent DT Ndamukong Suh to sign elsewhere despite the Jets making him an offer.
If Suh does, in fact, sign with New York, Cimini believes it would be a “panic move” for the Jets since Suh is 31-years old, is on the “downside” of his career and would require a lucrative contract.
Regarding the Jets trading up to No. 3 in the 2018 NFL Draft, Cimini does not view this as a “panic move” given that they must find a long-term solution at quarterback.
Cimini says it makes sense for the Broncos to trade up from No. 5 to the No. 2 spot with the Giants since Denver could use a quarterback and the Giants could still grab a top non-quarterback player at No. 5 overall.
Though Cimini believes that the Jets should hold onto WR Jermaine Kearse, he admits his $5 million non-guaranteed salary could make him a cap casualty.

Cameron Wolfe of ESPN writes that free agent DT Ndamukong Suh appears to have leverage in negotiations given that he now has multiple teams in the mix including the Titans, Jets, Rams and Saints.
If the Titans pull out of the running for Suh, Wolfe could see the team moving on to sign a player like former Colts NT Johnathan Hankins.
While reports have said that the Jets have made Suh the largest offer, Wolfe believes that the Titans still have a “legit chance” at signing him and it will come down to the free agent’s priorities of either signing with a team on the rise Tennessee or chasing top dollar.
Wolfe mentions free agent QBs Geno Smith and Matt Moore as potential backup options for the Titans.
As for a contract extension for LT Taylor Lewan, Wolfe mentions that he has no inclination regarding a potential timeline for a deal to get done. Although, Wolfe guesses that they will get a deal done sometime before the start of the 2018 season.