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The Baltimore Ravens announced Sunday night they've come to terms with outside linebacker Terrell Suggs on a contract extension, expected to keep the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year in Baltimore through the remainder of his career.
Suggs has reportedly verbally agreed to the deal, with a press conference scheduled Monday to formally announce a signed contract. Financial terms weren't disclosed, but Suggs was scheduled to make $7.8 million in base salary in 2014, the last year in a five-year, $62.5 million deal he signed in 2009.
His new deal is said to bring down that cap number significantly, meaning Suggs either took a significant paycut, or is receiving a long-term extension.
Making Woodley reduced salary offer should be considered
Considering the bloated cap number held by LaMarr Woodley heading into the 2014 season, both Woodley and the team should think about signing him to a smaller deal.
The former seems more likely than the latter. Suggs tore his Achilles heal in 2012, forcing him to miss half the season. He disappeared over the team's final eight games in 2013, recording just one sack in their last eight games. Those factors along with his advancing age made it appear likely Suggs was given the option of a signing a lower level extension or be released.
The market for free agent pass rushers has gone incredibly soft over the past few years. It will be saturated again this offseason, with a crop of younger defensive ends and rush outside linebackers coming via the draft and several accomplished veterans being available in free agency.
Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley should be anxious to hear what kind of deal Suggs is going to sign. His future in Pittsburgh is under question right now due to similar issues.
