The Los Angeles Rams were arguably the NFL’s biggest surprise in 2017, putting together an 11-5 record in Sean McVay’s first season as head coach, and after quarterback Jared Goff looked dreadful as a rookie in 2016. And it appears the Rams are *really* looking to take the next step in 2018.
After already adding stars such as Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib to the defense this offseason, the Rams signed three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a one-year, $14 million deal on Monday.
NFL.Com’s Ian Rapoport adds that Suh was offered more money by the Jets, so Suh took less to play for a title contender instead of playing for a dumpster fire.
And this means that the Rams now have a defensive tackle tandem of Suh and Aaron Donald, the 2017 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, to go with their revamped defensive backfield.
In 2017 with the Miami Dolphins, Suh had 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. The 31-year-old is not quite the force he was in his younger years with the Detroit Lions, but he’s still a very good player and ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 interior defensive lineman in 2017. And it’s very possible playing next to Donald — and on a defensive line that also features Michael Brockers — will free up Suh to do more damage than he was with Miami.
The Suh signing is bad news for NFC offenses (particularly the NFC West offenses, of course), and excellent news for Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
The Suh signing comes on the same day it was reported that the Rams have had discussions with the New York Giants about trading for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., so perhaps Los Angeles isn’t done making big moves this offseason to add on to their title-contending team.