It looks like former Atlanta Falcons’ running back Devonta Freeman isn’t willing to sign with a team for the 2020 NFL season at all cost. According to NFL Network’s Mike Silver, Freeman wouldn’t mind sitting out the year if he doesn’t get the contract he wants.
Freeman was released by the Falcons back in March and generated a lot of interest from other NFL teams since then. Still, the 28-year-old opted to wait out until he’s able to get the kind of salary he thinks he deserves. Reportedly, Seattle Seahawks even came through with a $4 million a year offer in recent days, which he decided to pass. Seahawks then went on and signed former Houston Texans’ back Carlos Hyde instead.
Devonta Freeman entered the league in 2014 as Atlanta’s fourth-round pick and had significant success early in his career. After a pair of 1,000+ yards and 11 touchdowns seasons, Freeman even received a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension in 2017 that made him the NFL’s highest-paid RB.
However, injuries and inconsistencies in recent seasons made Freeman expendable, and Falcons decided to get out of his contract after he only rushed for 656 yards and two TDs in 2019.
Reportedly, there are still several teams left in pursuit of Freeman, including Philadelphia Eagles, but neither would want to meet his contract demands. It remains to be seen whether he lowers them as the season progresses or stays true to his intention and hopes for a better market next year.
