Terrell

Suggs

“I can dismiss the snow to an Arizona guy,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said, talking of Suggs’ last mishap. “Hopefully, this isn’t going to show up again.” Suggs suffered a minor chest injury and facial cuts.

The charges stem from an incident in Phoenix last December. In brighter news, he lost ten pounds and is guaranteed a starter spot this year. He should break out in IDP leagues.

“I don’t know. Tomorrow will come, we ain’t gonna worry about it,” Suggs said. “We ain’t gonna make no decisions tonight.” Claimed off waivers in Week 16 from the Ravens, Suggs recorded seven tackles, four quarterback hits and a sack in five games for the Chiefs. The 37-year-old’s inevitable retirement is closing in, but it sounds as if he may stick around for one more year. Whatever happens, Suggs will undoubtedly retire with Baltimore when it’s all said and done.

The Cardinals waived Suggs last week. Reports suggested that Suggs might not report to his new claiming team if it is anyone other than the Ravens, so it’s unclear if he’ll actually wind up playing for the Chiefs. Still, there’s certainly a chance the 37-year-old pass rusher will change his mind when confronted with the opportunity to contend for a Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes and company. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Saints, 49ers and Seahawks also put in waiver claims for Suggs.

The news isn’t particularly surprising. Suggs didn’t appear to have a ton of juice left, but he could certainly still contribute in spurts on a well-rounded defense like the Ravens. 2019 was the first season of Suggs’ career playing anywhere other than Baltimore, where he spent the first 16 seasons of his career.

The 37-year-old Suggs now will go on waivers. Suggs totaled 5.5 sacks and seven QB hits in 13 games this season. The potential future hall-of-famer has racked up 138 sacks since entering the league back in 2003.

Suggs has spent his entire 16-year career with the Ravens, but the sides evidently could not agree on a price. Suggs’ departure coincides with Eric DeCosta taking over as the Ravens’ new general manager. That is not to say ex-GM Ozzie Newsome would have been guaranteed to re-sign Suggs after a productive but down 2018. La Canfora mentions the Cardinals as a possible landing spot.

Suggs will remain at outside linebacker in new DC Vance Joseph’s 3-4 system. Arizona will be only Suggs’ second NFL home after a hard-to-believe 16 seasons in Baltimore. Suggs’ numbers were down a little bit in 2018, but he still logged seven sacks on 743 snaps. Those snaps should decline a bit further in 2019.

Suggs and the Ravens have reportedly exchanged offers, but La Canfora reports “a market is definitely forming” for the former All-Pro. Even at 36, Suggs remained effective with seven sacks last season, and he has averaged almost nine per year over the last three seasons. It is not surprising other teams are interested, but it would be surprising to see Suggs playing anywhere but with the Ravens, who selected him 10th overall way back in 2003. Especially with Za’Darius Smith likely to walk, the Ravens should prioritize re-signing Suggs.

Re-signing Suggs and ILB C.J. Mosley are the Ravens’ top priorities. Suggs is entering his age-36 season but didn’t show any signs of slowing down last year. The sides are still in the early stages of talks. Suggs isn’t going to take a hometown discount to stay in Baltimore, but he should ultimately settle for a short-term extension.