ATLANTA (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with running back Devonta Freeman, addressing one of the biggest issues for the defending NFC champions.
The deal was announced Wednesday, on the eve of the team’s first preseason game at Miami.
Terms were not immediately available, but the extension was sure to make Freeman one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs.
During his three seasons with the Falcons, the Miami native has racked up 2,383 rushing yards, including back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2015 and 2016. His 3,175 total yards over the past two seasons ranks second in the NFL, behind teammate Julio Jones.
He was set to make just under $1.8 million is in the final year of a rookie contract he signed as a fourth-round draft pick out of Florida State.