Earlier on Friday, the Miami Dolphins traded with the Los Angeles Rams for defensive end Robert Quinn. This left the speculation that the Dolphins might be done with their costly defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh.
According to CBS Sports Jason La Canfora, this news confirms the latter.
Been reporting since midseason that Dolphins owner Steve Ross wanted to move on from Suh. Trade for Robert Quinn further evidence of that
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 2, 2018
Here is how the financials break down in regards to releasing Suh.
The Dolphins would take a $22 million dead cap hit by releasing Suh, and save only $3.9 million against the cap. But if they designate him a post-June 1 cut (can release before then), half that dead cap hit will be rolled over to 2019, meaning Miami would save about $15 million against the 2018 cap.
The Dolphins signed Suh to a massive six-year, $114.4 million contract in 2015. And Suh’s production has been on the decline ever since. He registered only 4.5 sacks and 38 combined tackles in 2017.
As such, it’s been reported recently that the Dolphins are looking into the possibility of releasing or trading Suh. The acquisition of Quinn has now put the writing on the wall.