On Wednesday, we caught wind of credible chatter that the Dolphins would emerge as the primary player for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Suh will sign with the Dolphins on Tuesday in the range of $114 million with $60 million guaranteed.
Suh also will get $60 million in the first three years, based on the parameters set by the Dolphins and agent Jimmy Sexton.
What’s that, you say? Nothing can be done during the three-day window during which negotiations may occur but no offers can be made? Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the two sides are still talking and nothing is done yet.
Per league mandate, nothing can be done yet. That doesn’t mean it can’t become obvious that it will be done. While the parameters and the discussions aren’t binding on the player or the team, the window has been open long enough for Suh and Sexton to know what else is -- and isn’t -- out there.
The other teams mentioned were all leverage for the Dolphins, who in the end may have been bidding against themselves. The only other viable candidate to sign Suh was the Lions.
So as the Raiders reportedly planned a visit and other teams bubbled up (conveniently, the Chargers emerged not long after the period started for the Dolphins and Sexton to set parameters), it looks like it always was the Dolphins.
In two days -- and as long as no one officially pegs the chances of a deal getting done at the 95-percent kiss of death -- it apparently will be.
