Falcons HC Dan Quinn said Wednesday free agent DE Dwight Freeney told him he wants to play this year.
“He wants to play,” Quinn said, Vaughn McClure of ESPN. “I’d say he’s further along in the decision than he was last year.”
Quinn would not say whether the team will pursue Freeney, but he’s still examining their defensive line.
“He knows I’m going down the line of looking at our team here,” Quinn said.
A few weeks ago, Freeney mentioned that he is in communication with the Falcons and optimistic about possibly re-signing with them at some point.
“I’ve already been talking to the coaches and going back and forth here and there with the draft picks and free agents,” Freeney said, via the Sporting News. “That line of communication is still very open. They say they’re still very interested.
“I’m planning to reach out to them here soon and hopefully we both believe they want me back and playing for them.”
Freeney, 37, is a former first-round pick of the Colts back in 2002. After spending 11 years in Indianapolis, Freeney signed on with the Chargers as a free agent and spent two seasons in San Diego.
The Cardinals signed him to a one-year contract in 2015 and were rewarded with a productive year from the veteran pass rusher. He finished out his one-year deal with the Cardinals before signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Falcons last year.
In 2016, Freeney recorded 10 tackles and three sacks over the course of 15 games for the Falcons. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 49 edge rusher out of qualifying 109 players.
We have him featured in our Top 50 Available Free Agents list.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
