Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff Says They’ll Open Extension Talks With Devonta Freeman During Offseason

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said Monday night that they plan to discuss a contract extension for RB Devonta Freeman once the season is over and are hoping to keep him in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.

“Devonta obviously is a very good football player,” Dimitroff said, via ESPN.com. “We want him to be here with us, and we are going to address that in the offseason, which is what we should. I think we’re in a really good spot with a number of players on this team that we’re going to look to continue to re-up here. Devonta’s one we’re going to have that discussion with. We’re confident that we’re going to have him here for years to come.”

Yesterday, Kristin Campbell, the agent for Freeman, told NFL.com that her client deserves to be paid like an “elite back” and expects the team to make him a priority in the coming months.

“It’s time for the Falcons to pay him like the elite back he is,” Campbell told NFL.com. “I expect them to make him a priority this offseason, as he’s been an integral part of the dynamic offense that has gotten them to the Super Bowl.”

Freeman said wants to be with the Falcons “forever” and wouldn’t want to play for another team.

“I hope so, because I want to be with the Falcons forever,” Freeman said. “I don’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t want to jump from team to team. I want to be like a Ray Lewis or a Tom Brady and spend my whole career with one team.

“I would love to get it done, cause I’m comfortable here. It’s family. I love the fans, the atmosphere, the organization, the community, the place where I stay, Lenox Mall … it feels like home.”

Freeman, 24, is a former fourth-round pick of the Falcons back in 2014. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $2.7 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $690,000 for the 2017 season.

In 2016, Freeman appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons and rushed for 1,079 yards on 227 carries (4.8 YPC) to go along with 54 receptions for 462 yards receiving and 13 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 11 running back out of 62 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a new contract for Freeman as the news is available.