Falcons’ Freeman gets deal extension
ATLANTA — On the eve of their first preseason game, the Atlanta Falcons addressed their biggest issue coming into training camp: Devonta Freeman has a new contract.
Last season’s NFC champions agreed to terms Wednesday on a five-year, $41.25 million extension with Freeman, making him the highest-paid running back in the league in terms of the overall package. It includes a $15 million signing bonus and $22 million in guaranteed money.
Buffalo’s LeSean McCoy had been the highest-paid running back with a five-year, $40 million deal signed in 2015. Pittsburgh’s Le’veon Bell’s rejected an even bigger deal and will
play for $12.12 million under the franchise tag this season.
During his three seasons with the Falcons, who open preseason play tonight on the road against the Dolphins, the Miami native has racked up 2,383 rushing yards, including back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2015 and 2016. Freeman’s 3,175 total yards over the past two seasons rank second in the NFL, behind teammate Julio Jones, an All-Pro wide receiver.
Freeman was set to make just less than $1.8 million in the final year of a rookie contract he signed as a fourth-round draft pick out of Florida State. Freeman’s agent, Kristin Campbell, caused a bit of a stir by first raising the prospect of a lucrative extension the week ahead of the Super Bowl in February. The Falcons squandered a 28-3 lead in the title game and lost in overtime to the New England Patriots.
While negotiations carried into the start of training camp, they never got contentious and Freeman said he had no intention of holding out because he didn’t want to be a distraction.
The Falcons made it clear all along Freeman was a big part of their plans after helping them reach the title game for only the second time in franchise history. Over the past year, the team also locked up cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford and offensive tackle Ryan Schraeder to long-term extensions.
“We are very pleased that we were able to get this extension done,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a team release. “Devonta embodies everything we are looking for in a Falcon, and we are proud that he’ll be able to spend his career here in Atlanta.”
Teaming in the backfield last season with Tevin Coleman, Freeman ranked seventh in the NFL with 1,541 total yards, and his 13 touchdowns ranked fifth among running backs. He also earned his second straight Pro Bowl selection.
“This is where I’ve always wanted to be,” Freeman said in the release. “I feel extremely blessed, but the work and grind are just beginning.”
On Twitter, he noted his humble beginnings growing up in one of Miami’s toughest neighborhoods: “A young boy from the bottom. You put that work in & stay humble, you’ll be rewarded. Now we just gotta go get the trophy!”
Freeman and Coleman are one of the league’s top tandems at running back. Both players have breakaway speed, excel in the team’s wide zone-blocking scheme and fill vital roles in the short passing game. Atlanta led the NFL in scoring last year at nearly 34 points a game behind Freeman, Coleman, Jones and quarterback Matt Ryan, the league MVP.
Coach Dan Quinn called Freeman into his office before the start of training camp to make sure he knew how badly the team wanted to get a deal done. The coach said Freeman never let it become a problem on the field.
“I didn’t have to, but I definitely did,” Quinn said. “The reason I’m saying that is it isn’t something that got sideways. It wasn’t like I had to, but for most of the guys that are in that contract time, I definitely talk it through and I want to have open lines of communication with them.”