Chargers Sign DE Dwight Freeney, Contract Details

Update:

Ian Rapoport reports that sources have informed him that the Chargers have reached an agreement in principle with free agent DE Dwight Freeney.

Contract Details:

• Pro Football Talk is reporting that Freeney’s contract is a two-year deal worth $8.75 million.
• Freeney will receive $5.25 million in 2013, which includes a $3.25 million signing bonus, $1.5 million base salary and a $500,000 roster bonus.
• In 2014, he’ll make $3.5 million, which includes a $500,000 in weekly roster bonuses.
• The contract includes $4.6 million in sack based incentives.
• Freeney could make as much as $13.35 million in the next two years.

Other notes:

• The Chargers reportedly refused to allow talks to end, according to Rapoport.
• Jarrett Bell reports that Patriots and Broncos showed last-minute interest in Freeney.
• Freeney text sent to Ed Werder: “I’m excited to start this new chapter with some good people with great potential to do some great things.”

It’s taken months for Freeney to find a team, but he still managed to walk away with a two-year contract in a very limited free agent market. This deal just barely beats out the contract handed out to Osi Umenyiora by the Falcons.

Clearly, the Chargers need to find another pass-rusher now that 2012 first-round pick Melvin Ingram is lost for the season. Freeney isn’t a great fit in a 3-4 system, which is evident by the fact that he totaled just five sacks last season, but San Diego appears to be willing to adjust their defensive scheme a bit to accommodate him skill set.

We had Freeney listed as our No. 1 player in our Best Available Free Agents list.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the San Diego Chargers are closing in on signing free agent Dwight Freeney.

Freeney, 33, met with the Chargers on Wednesday and Thursday, but a recent report mentioned that he had left San Diego without a contract.

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Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune San Diego reports that free agent Dwight Freeney left his visit with the Chargers without a contract.

• Gehlken adds that those familiar with the meeting characterize it as having gone well.
• The Chargers are believed to still have interest in signing Freeney.

San Diego signed Thomas Keiser earlier in the day, but a recent report indicated that the Chargers would be willing to adjust their defensive scheme to fit Freeney’s skill set.

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Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune San Diego reports that free agent DE/OLB Dwight Freeney will continue to meet with the Chargers on Thursday.

• According to Gehlken, Freeney in San Diego on Wednesday and took a physical for the team.
• Ed Werder spoke with HC Mike McCoy who believes their defensive scheme will accommodate Freeney.

The Chargers wasted no time in pursuing a replacement for Melvin Ingram, who’s expected to undergo surgery on his torn ACL which will almost certainly end his 2013 season.

Freeney’s market has been slow moving in recent weeks, but he’s reportedly dropped his asking price, so there’s a chance that a deal could be reached in the near future.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the San Diego Chargers will bring in veteran DE/OLB Dwight Freeney for a visit on Wednesday.

• Ian Rapoport reports that the Chargers are “very interested” in Freeney. 

This news comes just hours after the team announced that 2012 first-round pick Melvin Ingram had suffered a torn ACL.

Schefter adds that Chargers new GM Tom Telesco had spent 15 years with the Colts organization, so he’s more than familiar with Freeney.

San Diego employs a 3-4 base defense, but they could look to use Freeney in at both outside linebacker and in passing situations.