Top defensive free-agent chooses NFC rival over the Vikings

Free-agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh has reportedly decided to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and not the Minnesota Vikings.

Over the last few months, there were some rumblings of mutual interest between free-agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and the Minnesota Vikings. Nothing ever came from that rumored interest, and now it appears that the Philadelphia Eagles have landed the All-Pro defender.

The Eagles announced on Thursday that they have agreed to a contract with Suh, less than 24 hours after they also signed former Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

Philadelphia has allowed an average of more than 150 rushing yards to their last three opponents. So the Eagles are clearly hoping that the additions of Suh and Joseph will help when it comes to stopping the run.

Will the Minnesota Vikings regret not signing Ndamukong Suh before the Philadelphia Eagles?

While it would have been nice for Minnesota to add Suh to their defensive line this year, it’s not that big of a deal that they didn’t.

Harrison Phillips has been playing well for the Vikings this season and Dalvin Tomlinson isn’t expected to be out much longer with his calf injury. Minnesota also currently ranks 15th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempt, so it’s not like they have been desperate for more help on the interior of their defensive line.

The downside of Suh no longer being a free agent now is the fact that he signed with the team that the Vikings are currently competing with for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff bracket this season.

If Minnesota’s magic is going to continue this year with an eventual appearance in the Super Bowl, they’ll likely have to figure out how to get by Suh and the Eagles at some point.