Former NFL defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh sparked debate by asserting that the Detroit Lions should have offered him a higher salary than quarterback Matthew Stafford to keep him during the team’s 2015 free agency period. Speaking publicly on Facebook, Suh expressed frustration over what he viewed as undervaluation of his contributions compared to Stafford’s contract.
Defensive Leader Highlights His Role and Contributions
Suh emphasized his importance to the Lions’ defense, claiming he was a key figure both on the field and in the locker room. He stated,
“Detroit, in my opinion, when I first came out, really gave me the short end of the stick,”
and further added,
“I should have been paid more than Stafford, because I was the next first-round pick coming out of the draft. I felt like I was going to be a cornerstone for them, but they didn’t value me enough, to say, ‘Hey, you’re not going to get paid more than our quarterback.’ I said fine, I will prove you wrong, that I deserve to be one of the cornerstones … just like Stafford, just like Calvin [Johnson], but the pay never matched the weight I carried. I wasn’t just a defensive tackle. I was the guy offenses game-planned for. I was the one of the guys setting the tone in the locker room and on the field. And while quarterbacks get the big checks, I was the one putting my body on the line every play, chasing down QBs. They built the offense around him, they built the identity of the defense around the D-line and me! You don’t talk about the Lions of that era without mentioning Johnson or Stafford, myself and our D-line!”
—Ndamukong Suh
Career Milestones and Contract Outcomes Following Detroit
Despite Suh’s impact with the Lions, the team allowed him to enter free agency, where he secured a six-year contract worth $114 million with the Miami Dolphins. At the time, Suh had earned the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, been selected to four Pro Bowls, and received three first-team All-Pro honors, establishing himself as one of the league’s dominant interior defenders. Although his standout performance levels dipped after leaving Detroit, his period with the Lions remains a defining era in his career.
Market Realities Fueling Salary Disparities in the NFL
The debate over whether Suh deserved a higher salary than Stafford reflects broader NFL trends, where quarterbacks routinely receive significantly larger contracts than players at other positions. While Suh’s role was pivotal on defense, the market heavily favors quarterbacks, a dynamic that persisted during the 2015 negotiations and continues today. This financial imbalance underscores the complex valuation players face, particularly those outside the quarterback position.
Implications for Player Valuation and Team Building
Suh’s comments highlight ongoing tensions about pay equity and player recognition within professional football, especially regarding how essential contributors outside of quarterback are compensated. His perspective underscores the difficulty defensive stars face when competing for contracts in a market skewed toward offensive skill positions. The conversation he reignited may influence future contract negotiations and discussions about team-building priorities in the NFL.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Matthew Stafford have brain surgery?
A. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes set a new NFL record. During the first half of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he hit 30,000 career passing yards. Mahomes accomplished this in only 103 games, surpassing Matthew Stafford’s former record, which took 109 games.
Q. Does Matthew Stafford have a photographic memory?
A. Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Detroit Lions, remembers almost every detail of the 10,000 plays he’s experienced in the NFL. He can recall defensive setups, his throws, and game situations as if they are securely stored in his memory.