Terrell Suggs expressed a desire to finish his career in Baltimore, but he'll instead go home to Arizona. It's reportedly a one-year, $7 million deal, per multiple reports.
The 36-year-old Suggs, who grew up in Arizona and went to Arizona State, had never previously hit free agency during his 16-year career.
"It was an honor to coach Terrell," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He's an iconic player who produced for the Ravens for 16 years. And 'Sizz' made it fun. He always brought his big personality, and he always brought a high level of play."
Immediately after the season ended, Suggs said that he was not going to retire and wanted to finish his stellar career where it started. At the Combine, General Manager Eric DeCosta expressed the organization's desire to make that happen.
Suggs is a Baltimore institution, ranking up there with Hall of Famers Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Jonathan Ogden. He may end up in the Hall of Fame right next to them. But like Reed, Suggs will reportedly not wear purple and black from start to finish.
"A Raven through and through – he's tenacious, the best of what we want our defenders to be," DeCosta said. "On the football field, he's a warrior, and he'll fight with everything he has. He overcame injury, dealt with pain and showed toughness like no other. He developed into one of the best team leaders in our history. Terrell is one of our all-time great Ravens."
Since being selected by the Ravens 10th overall in 2003, Suggs helped Baltimore win Super Bowl XLVII, went to seven Pro Bowls, won NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2011) and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003).
He's the franchise's all-time sack leader (132.5) and one of the game's greatest entertainers. Suggs' "T-Sizzle" persona has endeared him to Ravens fans and teammates alike. He's been the heartbeat of the locker room and gameday hype man for years, especially after Lewis' retirement.
But Suggs has always been more than meets the eye. He's a smart and dedicated student in the classroom, and leader both in front of and behind the scenes.
Known for terrorizing quarterbacks, he has been equally as effective against the run and an integral piece of the Ravens' versatile defense because he's able to do so many different things and read what opponents have coming.
Even in the twilight of his career, Suggs was productive. He notched seven sacks last season, tied for the second-most on the team behind fellow free agent Za'Darius Smith. He also had 34 tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown.
If Suggs does sign with Arizona and Smith heads elsewhere in free agency, the Ravens would have Matthew Judon, who is entering his fourth NFL season, and third-year outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams at outside linebacker for now.
