KANSAS CITY, Mo. Terrell Suggs didnt know where he would end up after the Arizona Cardinals waived him last weekend.
The talented pass rusher apparently wanted to return to the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent 16 seasons from 2003-18. And an ESPN report indicated he would strongly consider not reporting if a team other than the Ravens claimed him.
Suggs changed his mind once the Kansas City Chiefs claimed him waivers with a little help from a brief chat with Andy Reid.
It was hard to turn down a reigning MVP and a playoff team, and the exciting things that theyre doing, Suggs said Wednesday. This atmosphere, its kind of hard to turn down.
I was really uncertain about my future last week, but I talked to Coach. Brief conversation, but I was like, OK, lets do it.
Reid pointed out the conversation wasnt a recruiting-type situation, rather an opportunity to address any concerns Suggs might have had about going to a new team shortly after getting released.
He wanted to know what was going on, Reid said. Hes a thorough guy. Did I have to put the hammer down on him or anything? No. He had some questions, which guys do that have been around and I think he liked what he heard, and he was fired up.
Suggs isnt the only one thrilled about having the pass rusher join the team with two games remaining in the regular season and the postseason on the horizon
Just to add someone like that at this point of the season that you know is going to come in and produce, I mean, I was very excited to have that, quarterback Patrick Mahomes said on his reaction to hearing the news the Chiefs were bringing in Suggs.
Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif agreed.
Hes such a great player and youre like theres no way youre going to end up two weeks before the playoffs with a player of that caliber, Duvernay-Tardif said. And then we get him and now hes on our team. Its awesome.
Suggs joins a 10-4 team that has already clinched a postseason berth and he brings proven career production to help.
The 37-year-old Suggs has 138 career sacks, which ranks ninth on the NFLs all-time list. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection on his accomplished career, which includes winning the NFL Defensive Player of Year in 2011 after he totaled 70 tackles and 14 sacks that season.
And despite his age and time in the league, Suggs apparently has not lost a step.
I would tell you off the tape he can still play and loves to play, Reid said. I mean, he loves to play the game hes one of those kinds of guys and arguably a future Hall of Famer. Ive coached him before in the Pro Bowl and Ive coached against him. Im glad hes on our team right now.
