The Arizona Cardinals released veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs in a move that was considered a mutual decision to allow him to find a better fit to finish the season.
The team was in the middle of a losing streak and had decided to start playing younger players, so his role was going to change. The move made sense and, on the surface, looked like it was almost honorable for a Hall of Fame player.
He was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs and joins a team right the thick of the playoff race.
Now with the Chiefs, Suggs made a comment that might appear to be a shot at his hometown team.
"I asked coach 'I just learned the hard way that a player like me just (doesn’t) fit in anywhere. He was like ‘Trust me, you’ll fit in here.’ '' — Suggs on what Reid told him about coming to the Chiefs.
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) December 18, 2019
Suggs, worried a bit about fitting in with the Chiefs, told coach Andy Reid, “I just learned the hard way that a player like me just (doesn’t) fit in anywhere.”
Clearly, this was in reference to the Cardinals.
However, what did it mean?
One could interpret it as a criticism, perhaps throwing the Cardinals under the bus for how he was used or giving a reason why his production declined.
However, it is important to note Kliff Kingsbury also used the word “fit” when giving the reason why Suggs was released. The team was nothing but complimentary about his time.
Why didn’t he fit in?
Perhaps it was simply the fact he wasn’t used to losing that much and playing on a bad defensive unit. His playing time didn’t really decline, but it was going to as the team sought to play younger players and give Haason Reddick a chance.
Was he misused? It didn’t appear so.
Could it be an excuse for the reason his production declined as the season progressed?
Most likely, it was simply that he didn’t feel like he fit as a one-year player at the end of his career on a team that is looking to the future and not in a position to win now.
Now he has the chance to play a role on a team with Super Bowl aspirations. He is probably the perfect fit on the team and in that locker room.
[vertical-gallery id=428295]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 252:
[protected-iframe id=”65599ee7743ebac0198fabf66970f0d8-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20854910/download.mp3″ ]
Ep. 251:
[protected-iframe id=”0db2998b8165e735bc48c285807b6f3a-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20679628/download.mp3″ ]