Pro Football Focus reporter Steve Palazzolo believes that the Pittsburgh Steelers should be the team that signs Ndamukong Suh.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, already having to deal with a battle at quarterback between Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett had their preseason plans disrupted further as it was announced that defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt was stepping away from the game at the age of just 29.

Tuitt had turned into a critical member of the Steelers’ defensive front in recent seasons alongside the likes of Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, a defence that has become one of the best in the NFL when it comes to getting to the opposing quarterback, leading the league in sacks every season since 2017.

Tuitt certainly had his fair share to contribute, putting up 34.5 sacks in his career, including 11 in 2020 to go along with 246 combined tackles, 48 tackles for loss and 94 quarterback hits.

A presence that was sorely missed

He missed the entirety of the 2021 season through both a knee injury that he suffered during the latter stages of training camp as well as personal reasons.

And whist the Steelers defence put in a reasonable effort without him as they led the league in sacks again and made the playoffs, there were still holes he left behind that they couldn’t fix as they ranked 24th in terms of yards allowed last season, and dead last when it came to stopping the run.

They did bring in DeMarvin Leal in this year’s draft and have players like Isaiahh Loudermilk who can step up, but his spot isn’t one that’s going to be filled easily.

One big swing for Suh

But one man who could fill that spot is free agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh who, despite getting on a bit at 35 still managed to show what he can do when he was with Tampa Bay last year with 27 combined tackles, 13 QB hits and 6 sacks.

And speaking on Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan (via Andrew Fillipponi), Palazzolo thinks that Suh should be the man to take Tuitt’s place, even if he were to be used sparingly:

On a one-year contract whilst the help develop someone who can take Tuitt’s spot long-term? If the money is right, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for them to try.