Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff optimistic about extending Devonta Freeman's contract
Coming off their run to Super Bowl LI last season, the Atlanta Falcons are now in the midst of trying to retain the core of what may be the greatest team the franchise has ever had.
To that end, general manager Thomas Dimitroff is hoping to have an extension for running back Devonta Freeman wrapped up soon — possibly even by Thursday, when the Falcons conduct their first practice of training camp.
“That’s just a few days away and I’ve always said that I think it’s going to be a fairly expeditious negotiation, but you never know,” Dimitroff said Monday (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
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“I would love for it to happen, but if it doesn’t we’re not throwing up the caution flag at all. We’ll just continue to work through it.”
Freeman, half of perhaps the league's best tailback tandem with Tevin Coleman, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and totaled more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage each of the past two seasons. He's got 27 total TDs since 2015.
A fourth-round pick in 2014, Freeman is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $1.8 million in base salary in 2017.
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