Report: NFL clears Dolphins of tampering with Ndamukong Suh
The Miami Dolphins were cleared of tampering charges by the NFL in their pursuit of All-Pro free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, reports the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley.
NFL rules state that teams and unrestricted free agents can begin dialog three days prior to the start of free agency, which opens with the new league year.
Multiple media outlets reported on March 8 that Suh and the Dolphins had agreed to terms and specified the contract details. Suh ultimately signed a six-year, $114 million contract on March 11, the richest deal for a defensive player in NFL history.
That same day, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he was "confident" that the team did not tamper with Suh.
"I certainly wanted to talk to [Suh] but I knew I couldn't, and we didn't," Ross said. "We don't think that we did anything wrong."
The NFL started their investigation into the matter and told all 32 teams to keep phone records in case they wanted to review them. The league decided that the Dolphins did not break any rules.
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The league did fine the New York Jets $100,000 for tampering last month after Jets owner Woody Johnson commented in December about how he would “love” to have cornerback Darrelle Revis back with the team.
Revis ended up signing a five-year, $70 million with the Jets after spending one season with the New England Patriots, and helping them win a Super Bowl.
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