The San Francisco 49ers apparently almost signed one of the most well-known defensive linemen of the last decade-plus earlier this season.

Ndamukong Suh says that he almost joined the 49ers at the beginning stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

“I am a 49ers guy,” Suh revealed on Sky Sports. “I almost joined their team earlier this year but … It was so well-oiled a machine and they just had a couple pieces they needed to fill on. And I see the 49ers taking care of business.”

It was widely expected that Suh would sign with a contender at some point this year, but nothing ever actually came to fruition.

The veteran last appeared in an NFL game with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, when he signed with the club in mid-November and played in eight contests, logging 10 tackles and a sack. He also had a small role in the playoffs as the Eagles made it all the way to the Super Bowl.

Suh, who played his collegiate football at the University of Nebraska, was originally selected by the Detroit Lions with the second overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.

He hit the ground running during his rookie campaign, racking up 66 tackles, 10 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Suh spent the first five years of his career with the Lions, earning four trips to the Pro Bowl while notching First-Team All-Pro honors three times.

He then proceeded to join the Miami Dolphins, where he spent three relatively disappointing seasons. Since then, Suh has played for the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia. He helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl during the 2020-21 campaign.

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