Eagles Must Finish the Deal After Making Offer to RB Devonta Freeman
By Scott Rogust
The NFL has reached its lull period after the NFL Draft, but news on Wednesday sparked up the free agency market.
Reports earlier in the day indicated that the Seattle Seahawks had extended an offer to ex-Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, but he declined in hopes of securing a higher salary. NFL Media's Mike Silver reported that the Seattle deal was worth $4 million for one season.
As it turns out, the Seahawks aren't the only team that's in on Freeman's services. The Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles are also in the hunt, and the defending NFC East champs must work out a deal now before it's too late.
The #Seahawks, #Eagles and #Jets have interest in former #Falcons RB Devonta Freeman, and Seattle has made an offer of 1-year for up to $4M, per @MikeSilver. @caplannfl mentioned earlier that Seattle has made an offer but Freeman is asking for more.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) May 20, 2020
If last season proved anything, it's that the Eagles needed an overhaul on the offensive side of the ball. Philadelphia's offense endured a vicious rash of injuries, as numerous players were knocked out indefinitely for the latter half of the season. One of the positions hurt most? Running back.
Jordan Howard, the Eagles' big trade acquisition last offseason, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury 10 games into the year. That forced head coach Doug Pederson to rely on practice squad rusher Boston Scott, who really only shined when playing the putrid New York Giants defense last season.
Fast forward to May, and the Eagles have yet to make an addition to their running back corps. Yes, they have a stud in Miles Sanders to carry the majority of the load, but he needs a more reliable backup option than Scott.
Thats where Freeman comes in.
The Eagles, Seahawks and Jets are interested in RB Devonta Freeman, per @MikeSilver.
— Eagles Mighty Fan (@eaglesmightyfan) May 20, 2020
A power RB sounds good to backup Miles Sanders and run some goal line plays. We only need to check if he’s healthy enough... pic.twitter.com/RTBJLVTYZG
Just like Howard, Freeman is a bruising running back that will weaken the opposition's front seven to not only allow Sanders to pick up the scraps, but to let quarterback Carson Wentz eat, too. Freeman is coming off a career-low season in which he rushed for 656 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games, but what works in his favor is that he won't be forced to be the bell cow for Philly.
If the Eagles want to keep the NFC East title away from the Dallas Cowboys next season, then they must take advantage of Freeman's cheap market and finalize a deal with the former Falcon.