The Miami Dolphins wanted a home-run signing and they are certainly hoping Ndamukong Suh turns out to be. Free agency has yet to officially start for the NFL and already the biggest name available is off the market after the Dolphins and Suh reportedly agreed to a giant contract. However, that deal could have repercussions for the Dolphins as it could cost them other contracts as a result.
According to ESPN, Suh has inked one of the biggest deals in NFL history after signing six-year, $114 million contract with $60 million in guaranteed money. The deal of course will not be made permanent until free agency begins on Tuesday, but Suh is off the market now. Miami signing Suh made sense in that they could afford to give him such a giant contract thanks to the fact that Florida does not have any state income tax. It lessens the burden of Suh's deal on the franchise in the bigger picture. However, how does it factor in to the rest of their free agency run as the Dolphins still have several holes to fill on the roster.
All eyes are officially on Mike Wallace. The wide receiver is a heavy salary cap hit heading into 2015, one the Dolphins ideally do not want around. However, the team already let go of Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson which means their wide receiver group is down to Jarvis Landry and the re-signed tight end Charles Clay. Wallace is no longer as expendable as before. The franchise continues to toy with the idea of releasing him after the receiver declined to renegotiate his contract, but with free agency just hours away, no move has been made.
The signing of Suh could also hurt getting a big running back in the mix. Knowshon Moreno is essentially gone after his one-year deal is up. The Miami Herald is reporting Moreno is not expected to return. The team was getting linked to the likes of DeMarco Murray and CJ Spiller, but both players might be too expensive for the team to bring on. The Dolphins better have confidence in Lamar Miller.
The other question is the contract extension to Ryan Tannehill. The quarterback is expected to ink an extension this offseason, but several factors could hurt that. The addition of Suh certainly plays a role. If Wallace remains on the team, the Dolphins could be out of cap space. Getting a contract done for Tannehill is not a necessity this offseason, but Miami could get him at a possibly cheaper deal this year than next year if he has an improved season.
Signing Suh does not guarantee a winning season in South Beach. He cannot be the only move Miami makes thanks to the other big issues on the roster. His contract takes up plenty of space which could force the franchise to make crucial decisions to the rest of their talent.
