Though there was hope linebacker Terrell Suggs could return to the Baltimore Ravens, potentially ending his season with the team that drafted him and on a high note, a homecoming wasn’t in the cards. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Suggs was claimed off the waiver wire by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Suggs was released by the Arizona Cardinals last week. However, as a vested veteran after the trade deadline, Suggs had to go through the waiver wire instead of being free to sign wherever he’d like. While the Ravens are last on the waiver list thanks to their 12-2 record, it was reported Suggs would not report to any team other than Baltimore.
Still, with Baltimore the clear favorites in the AFC, another team putting in a claim on Suggs even to simply keep him away from the Ravens was a smart move. But Kansas City has a need for help at pass rusher as well.
Thought to be a weak spot on Baltimore’s roster throughout the offseason, it’s proven a mostly accurate assessment. The Ravens have done a good job generating pressure but have had to rely on defensive coordinator Don Martindale’s aggressive blitzing scheme to get the job done. Picking up Suggs wouldn’t have fixed the issue but it would have been a huge help to a Baltimore team that has struggled to set the edge or win one-on-one pass-rush matchups consistently.
Outside linebacker Matthew Judon has played well, notching 8.5 sacks through 14 games so far — his best season as a pro. Pernell McPhee was signed in the offseason to bolster the group and played well to start the season before heading to injured reserve after seven games. Tyus Bowser has stepped up nicely in recent weeks with three sacks since Week 11.
In 13 games with the Cardinals, Suggs put up a respectable season for any player, much less a 37-year old outside linebacker. His 5.5 sacks would rank second on Baltimore’s roster while his four forced fumbles would rank first.
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