Longtime NFL executive Samir Suleiman reveals secrets of NFL Free Agency, salary cap myths and which players will be overpaid

Samir Suleiman is a former Vice President in the NFL, who worked for nearly three decades for the league office, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. Suleiman has had an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge of the business side of football and the X’s and O’s given his diverse background negotiating high-profile contracts, navigating the ever-changing salary cap and engaging on the pro scouting side of the NFL universe.

Episode Highlights:

(2:45): What should Tom Brady, Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders do with disgruntled Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby? What would be a fair trade package for him?

(3:15): Suleiman shares a fun behind-the-scenes story of former Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown during a tumultuous time.

(4:35) Is it smart business for Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown or should he keep quarterback Jalen Hurts’ top weapon? And what would be a fair trade compensation for Brown? Should Roseman hold out for what the New York Jets received for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams when they made a deal with Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys before the trade deadline last season?

(7:25) Will the NFL penalize the New England Patriots and Mike Vrabel for tampering after the head coach admitted at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week that he regularly texts Brown?

(8:30) What is the biggest misconception about NFL Free Agency? Do NFL fans think Madden and fantasy football are real life?

(11:00) How do NFL teams set a free agency budget? Who creates it? How much wiggle room is there to maneuver? How does Oliver Twist enter the analysis?

(13:35): Debunking the NFL salary cap myth. What does “cash over cap” really mean?

(15:00) Which NFL team has been historically cheap when paying free agents?

(17:15): Will the NFL salary cap reach a half billion dollars soon? A mention of Stephen Ross selling one percent of the Miami Dolphins, which has a valuation of $12.5 billion.

(18:15): The art of the negotiation during free agency, tricks used by agents and who was the shrewdest negotiator that Suleiman has dealt with?

(23:00) Can strong-willed NFL coaches (like San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan) sometimes bust your free agent budget?

(26:30): A deep dive into this year’s free agent quarterback class highlighted by Packers quarterback Malik Willis. Which former free agent does Willis remind Suleiman of? Did Colts general manager Chris Ballard make a smart move by placing the transition tag on injured quarterback Daniel Jones?

(29:10) Are the New York Jets and free agent quarterback Kyler Murray a good fit? More specifically, are Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich and Murray a good fit. Suleiman provides behind-the-scenes intel on working with Reich at the Carolina Panthers.

(32:00) What really happened inside the Carolina Panthers building when the braintrust drafted Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft?

(34:25) A closer look at free agent Trey Hendrickson and whether the Cincinnati Bengals are smarter than we think.

(37:30): The free agent running back market including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker of the Seattle Seahawks and Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. Is it worth it to pay big money at that position?

(39:00) Closer look at the Jets decision to place the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall. Did Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey make a mistake by not trading Hall to Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round pick before the trade deadline last season? How does a history lesson on former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell enter the equation?

(43:15): Is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alex Pierce worth the money that he will command on the open market?

(46:40): How has NIL changed college athletic departments? What’s the future for college football programs as more former NFL general managers, executives and front office personnel migrate to that world?

(47:45) Why are NFL teams more willing to absorb big dead money salary cap charges for quarterback now than ever before? The Denver Broncos did precisely that with Russell Wilson. It looks like the Miami Dolphins will do it with Tua Tagovailoa too.

(52:20) Suleiman shares a powerful and emotional story on a recent hunting trip in Africa (Mozambique) that will leave you in awe.

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