Could Bears Be Landing Spot for Ndamukong Suh?

The Bears have plenty of needs, but Suh would certainly address a big one

The Chicago Bears have a lot of needs to address going into this offseason, and even though defensive tackle is arguably pretty low on their list of priorities after spending two high draft picks on the position before the 2014 season, there is at least one guy who could pique their interest in free agency.

That player is Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who will likely hit the free agent market as the hottest commodity available. The Lions still have the option to place the franchise tag on him, but with that move carrying a price tag of nearly $27 million, it seems unlikely that they will do so.

Plenty of teams will covet Suh’s services, and it’s not hard to see why. The tackle was a key part of a Detroit defensive line that was the best in the NFL against the run during the 2014 season, and he also is an integral part of the team’s pass rush. He racked up eight and a half sacks this season, to go along with 43 tackles and three passes defended. He is a constant terror that teams have to double and triple team at the line of scrimmage, and he would instantly make any front seven that he joins better.

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Teams like the Oakland Raiders will be near the front of the line with big sacks full of cash to offer Suh, but for a team like the Bears, Suh could be a potential franchise-changer. Yes, Suh would come with a huge price tag, but considering that the team has struggled to get pressure off the edges for several years, adding him to the mix could make life a lot easier for guys like Willie Young, Lamarr Houston, and Jared Allen next season.

The prospect of adding Suh has been broached before, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter listed the defensive tackle as a potential target for the Bears in the offseason. Young has also expressed a desire to play with his former Lions’ teammate, so perhaps he could convince the new general manager to make him a big offer.

Unfortunately for the Bears, other teams are likely going to be able to offer Suh more money, and after five seasons of disappointing playoff results in the Motor City, it would make more sense for the defensive tackle to go to a place with a better chance at routine playoff contention. The Bears simply haven’t earned that reputation, so while it would be nice if they went after him, it doesn’t seem all that likely that they could land him.

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