Ndamukong Suh Retires from NFL at 38 in Emotional Post, Won Super Bowl 55 with Bucs

Ndamukong Suh, a veteran defensive lineman who won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL. He made the announcement in an emotional post on X on July 12, 2024, exactly one year after his father's death.

Suh last played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, joining mid-season and appearing in eight regular-season games, where he recorded 10 total tackles and one sack. In April 2023, he stated on The Rich Eisen Show that he was open to joining another team and hadn't finalized retirement plans. Later that year, he mentioned direct contact from the Baltimore Ravens in October and reportedly visited the Miami Dolphins in December, but he ultimately went unsigned. His decision to retire follows a long layoff and his 38th birthday in January 2024, making a comeback unlikely.

After a standout college career at Nebraska, Suh was a first-round pick in 2010 and quickly established Hall of Fame potential with the Detroit Lions. Over five seasons, he amassed 36 sacks, earned five Pro Bowl selections, and received three All-Pro honors, becoming one of the league's most disruptive interior defenders. In 2015, he signed a six-year, $114 million contract with the Miami Dolphins but saw an immediate decline in performance and became a divisive figure in the locker room, leading to his release after just three seasons.

His career rebounded after leaving Miami: he reached Super Bowl LIII with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 and won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers in 2020. This championship victory significantly enhances his legacy and Hall of Fame candidacy, as he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-2010s Team. However, voters may closely examine the stark contrast between his dominant early years in Detroit and his later career phases when evaluating his credentials.