The Arizona Cardinals added a tremendous veteran presence as they signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs to a one-year deal worth $7 million.
While Suggs is a bit on the older side, the 36-year old linebacker proved to game-wrecker just this past season so the Cardinals could see more of the same from him in 2019.
Suggs gets to return to Arizona where he played high school and college ball. The former Arizona State Sun Devil is likely nearing the end of his career, but Suggs has shown no signs of slowing down ahead of the 2019 season.
In 2018, Suggs accounted for seven sacks and six passes defended while not missing a single game. The Ravens obviously had Suggs during his best years, but his knowledge, skill set and presence are still extremely valuable.
The Ravens all-time sack leader leaves quite the legacy behind as many individuals likely figured he would stay with the team he has played his entire 16-year career with. Suggs' days in Baltimore may be over, but there will always be a long list of memories and achievements back where his career began.
The Cardinals will have their work cut out for them next season if their struggles in recent years are any indication.
Suggs could help instill a new attitude to the defense and light a fire that has been lost amongst the team since former head coach Bruce Arians left. The Cardinals have had a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball for years, but there has not been a presence like Suggs on the team since Calais Campbell's days with the team.
The Cardinals now have linebacker Chandler Jones on one side and Suggs on the other which will be brutal for opposing lineman throughout the season. In addition to Jones and Suggs, the Cardinals have linebackers Jordan Hicks and Brooks Reed, safeties D.J. Swearinger and Budda Baker, cornerbacks Robert Alford and Patrick Peterson. Suggs is primed to fit in very well with a new look defense in which he could be a focal point.
New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could have big plans for Suggs and the Cardinals pass rush, but Suggs is likely out to prove he can still play at a high level back where he played in his youth.
Suggs brings a nasty, tenacious pressure and plays the game as intense as anyone else. The former first-team All-Pro linebacker is only two seasons removed from a double-digit sack season. Prior to his 2017 campaign season in which he had 11.0 sacks, his previous best was his All-Pro season back in 2011 with 14.0 sacks.
The Cardinals are getting an outstanding, rare talent considering his age and wisdom, the team should be counting their lucky stars that Suggs was willing to come to a team in an obvious rebuild.
New head coach Kliff Kingsbury has to be feeling good about next season knowing the Cardinals have a clear captain alongside Patrick Peterson.
This could likely be Suggs last season before hanging his cleats up so this season, but it could prove to be more of the same for the future Hall of Fame linebacker.
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