The Atlanta Falcons have signed pass rusher Dwight Freeney. Adam Schefter reported that he will be signing a one-year deal. The Falcons are Freeney’s fourth team. He has also played for the Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, and Arizona Cardinals. He was a part of the Colts team that defeated the Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
DE Dwight Freeney is schedule to fly Thursday to Atlanta to sign a one-year deal with Falcons, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2016
Atlanta Falcons Sign Veteran Dwight Freeney to One-Year Deal
Freeney recorded nine sacks in 11 games with the Cardinals in 2015. He went on to be a hero in the Cardinals’ game against the Minnesota Vikings. He stripped quarterback Teddy Bridgewater of the football and the Cardinals recovered.
Freeney’s career year was in 2004. He recorded 16 sacks, which is still a career high. It also led the league that year. In addition to that for the Colts, quarterback Peyton Manning set a then NFL record with 49 touchdown passes that season.
Back on June 1, Falcons coach Dan Quinn said that the Falcons would not sign Freeney, but would consider him in the future. They appear to have considered him now, as he will be a member of their defense in 2016.
Freeney was drafted in the first round (11th overall) by the Colts in the 2002 NFL Draft. He would spend the next 10 seasons in Indianapolis before signing with the Chargers. He recorded 19 tackles and 8.5 sacks in his lone season in San Diego.
The Falcons could use a big-name player on defense. After starting the 2015 season 6-1, they finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Their defense was the 16th ranked defense in the NFL last season. They gave up an average of 347.6 yards per game.
Freeney will also be able to mentor second-year player Vic Beasley. The Falcons drafted Beasley with the eighth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Clemson. He recorded 26 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in his rookie season.
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