The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
» Beasley to take wait and see approach to contract situation,
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley, who was the eighth player taken overall in the 2015 NFL draft, is set to become a free agent.
“We’ll see,” Beasley said when asked about his future. “Time will tell. I’m just going to enjoy the offseason. Whatever happens from there, I’ll just go with it.”
After playing his rookie season with a torn labrum, Beasley broke loose for 15.5 sacks during his second season as he helped the Falcons reach Super Bowl LI.
After teams adjusted to his speed rushes, Beasley was slow to add counter moves. He was held to five sacks in 2017 and 2018.
This season, Beasley started to embrace using more than just his speed and was moved around from the left to the right side. He finished with eight sacks.
Campbell: ‘I haven’t heard much’
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who led the Falcons in tackles with 129 in 2019, is set to become a free agent in March.
“No, I haven’t heard much,” Campbell said when asked about his contract situation on Monday. “I just do my part on the field and I let my agent handle the rest.”
Campbell, who was drafted in the fourth round (115th overall) out of Minnesota in 2016, wants to return to the Falcons.
“Yeah, definitely,” Campbell said. “They gave me an opportunity that 31 other teams didn’t. It would be special to come back, but I understand how this business works.”
The Falcons normally grant extensions to drafted players late in the regular season. But with the full operation being evaluated by owner Arthur Blank, extensions were likely on hold.
“That’s not something that’s under my control,” Campbell said. “All I control is the way I play. I let the rest of it handle itself.”
Freeman rushes for a career low
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry last season, is a candidate to have his contract restructured, as the team has a more difficult salary cap situation than it’s willing to admit.
Freeman has three years remaining on his contract and is set to receive a base salary of $6.5 million in 2020, $6.3 in 2021 and $8.2M in 2022.
“I’m here,” Freeman said on Monday. “I know how to play football really good. I have to continue to find ways to get better.”
Freeman, who’ll turn 28 in March, was asked about his future with the Falcons.
“Whatever happens happens,” Freeman said. “I’ll just control what I can control and whatever happens happens. I haven’t really dived in that far. We just have to see. I can’t answer that.”