:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59158491/usa_today_10414304.0.jpg)
The Seattle Seahawks were reportedly in the mix to add Ndamukong Suh early on in the process, but in recent days it has become apparent that the team is no longer in the running. With the New York Jets having withdrawn their contract offer to Suh at some point in recent days, the race for Suh’s services is coming down to the Los Angeles Rams, the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints.
Unfortunately for fans of NFC West teams, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network this morning, the Rams appear to have emerged as the front runner.
From @GMFB, on the Ndamukong Suh free agency: The #Rams appear to be the front-runner for his services. Suh hasn’t ruled the #Titans or #Saints out, and those close to him say he’s still open-minded. But Los Angeles has emerged as the team to beat in his protracted saga.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2018
Suh is a force on the field, and pairing him with All Pro Aaron Donald under the direction of Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips seems unfair to the rest of the league.
However, of those three teams, the NFLPA reports that the Titans have the most cap space available at just over $44M, with the Rams at $19M in available space and the Saints coming in at $10.5M for 2018. Thus, the Titans definitely have the space to make a competitive offer to the Rams, but the Titans also have multiple young players who are extension eligible, including both Taylor Lewan and Marcus Mariota, so they could already have plans in place for much of their available cap space.
In any case, the Suh seems likely to pick a team in the coming week or two, and Seahawks fans will simply have to hope that he chooses somewhere besides L.A.