If anyone doesn’t remember, one of the best defensive ends the NFL has had for over a decade, Dwight Freeney, is still available on the free agency market. After a quiet period concerning the veteran, Freeney is scheduled to visit a number of teams in the next few days, while the Denver Broncos and the Tennessee Titans might be the most interested of parties.
The Broncos have long been enquiring about Freeney, with Peyton Manning said to be pulling the strings behind the scenes, trying to get his former teammate a job on his team. While the Broncos showed some interest, as did other teams, the finances simply didn’t work out, and Freeney, like other veterans we’re surprised to still see without a job, will probably have to curb his demands quite a bit.
Same goes for the Titans, who have been close to adding John Abraham to the team, but once again – money has been the case for a deal not being reached, although it’s also about Abraham wanting promises about his playing time, looking to spend about 60% of the snaps on the field, while the Titans are looking for something a little bit more reserved. Freeney, 33, is also someone no one is thinking about using on most of their snaps as a pass-rusher.
June 1 will offer quite a lot of clarity for all those teams still looking for additions. Another round of cuts and released will be made, freeing up the final numbers of salary cap for teams like Denver, Tennessee and others, who are looking to add players who come at a certain cost.
Freeney struggles last season in a 3-4 system, with it changing sometimes only for the sake of him on the field, but there was no chance of him and the Colts carrying on that way. He’ll be looking to join a team that plays a 4-3 defense, like the Broncos, also looking to use him occasionally, instead of someone who spends the majority of the time on the field.