Freeman, Atlanta agree on $41.25 million deal
On the eve of their first exhibition game, the Atlanta Falcons addressed their biggest issue coming into training camp.
Devonta Freeman has a new contract.
The defending 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 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 franchise tag this season.
During his three seasons with the Falcons, Freeman has racked up 2,383 rushing yards, including back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2015 and 2016. His 3,175 total yards over the past two seasons ranks second in the NFL, behind teammate Julio Jones.
Freeman, 25, will make just under $1.8 million is in the final year of a rookie contract he signed as a fourth-round draft pick out of Florida State.
League to hire full-time officials: The NFL will hire up to 24 fulltime game officials.
The league will begin hiring between 21 and 24 from among the current roster of 124 officials for this season.
“We believe this is a great development for NFL officiating overall and ultimately the quality of our game,” said NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent. “We share a common goal, which is to make our game as great as it can possibly be, and look forward to working together on this new effort.”
Full-time officials will be hired at each of the seven officiating positions and may serve on each of the 17 officiating crews. They will work collaboratively with their assigned crews, the league officiating staff and the NFL’s football-related committees during the off-season.
Unlike in most other pro sports, NFL officials have other jobs.
Cowboys reward punter: Dallas punter Chris Jones signed a four-year contract extension through 2021, securing the Cowboys’ special teams combo with kicker Dan Bailey for at least the next four seasons.
Jones, who had one year remaining on his deal, had a career-best average of 45.9 yards last season, including a 66-yarder that rolled out of bounds at the 1-yard line at Philadelphia in the regular-season finale.
The 28-year-old Jones also had a video highlight last year when he leveled Detroit’s Andre Roberts on a punt return late in the season. He had a 30-yard run on a fake punt in an overtime win at home against the Eagles.
Bailey, who has made nearly 90% of his field goals through six seasons, is signed through 2020.
Colts cut Langford: The Indianapolis Colts released defensive tackle Kendall Langford after he failed a physical.
Langford, 31, went on the physically unable to perform list as training camp opened with an injured knee.
The injury limited the usually reliable 6-foot-6, 299-pound product of Miami to seven games and 10 tackles in 2016 after he started the season with a streak of 129 consecutive games played.
In nine pro seasons, Langford had 369 tackles, 221⁄2 sacks, 20 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Lewis returns: Coach Marvin Lewis was back with the Cincinnati Bengals after missing a practice to have a knee problem checked.
The 58-year-old Lewis had scans on a swollen knee Tuesday at the hospital.
He plans to coach Cincinnati’s exhibition opener at Paul Brown Stadium on Friday against Tampa Bay.