The Dwight Freeney-Arizona Cardinals marriage wasn’t a long one but it was a happy one.
Maybe more importantly, the two parties didn’t end on poor terms and each believed they gained something from one another.
Now Freeney is a free-agent looking for work and Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim is considering his defensive line depth and options after trading for Chandler Jones and drafting Robert Nkemdiche in the first round a couple of weeks ago.
Freeney would be more than happy to rekindle a not-so-old flame if the opportunity presents itself.
“There’s no question he wants to come back very, very much,” SI.com Senior NFL Writer Peter King told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat after King’s recent conversation with the seven-time Pro-Bowler. “He says he loves the team. He thinks he fits there very well.”
Freeney understands the younger, likely quicker Jones essentially took his position but no one can argue his production (eight sacks), including three of Packers’ Pro-Bowler Aaron Rodgers.
“I think this a situation where the Cardinals have to decide whether they can carve out 350 snaps, important snaps,” King explained. “Where they can keep Freeney fresh.”
The 35-year old, who has 120.5 career sacks and close to 50 forced fumbles, is still in top shape and believes he can be a difference-maker again whether it be in Arizona or elsewhere.
King says Keim and the Cards will likely take a wait-and-see approach as training camp unfolds before making a decision if Freeney is still available on the open market.
Freeney earned and additional $800,000 to his base salary last season hitting several sack escalators in his one-year deal.
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