Freeman seeking 'elite' RB money in extension talks with Falcons
Devonta Freeman is looking to get paid, and he's seems to have a price in mind.
As negotiations for a long-term contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons continue, the star running back suggested he's looking to be among the league's top earners at his position.
"I want to be the best. I want to be elite paid," Freeman told Josina Anderson of ESPN. "Whatever that is, that's where I want to be - straight up."
Any public stumping for a major payday is typically met with criticism, but Freeman has earned every bit of a deal that puts him in that top tier he desires. And at just 25 years old, it's possible he'll only continue to improve.
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The Falcons have said that they envision the two sides striking a deal at some point around training camp, which is a sensible target date with Freeman heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
Even if negotiations carry on past that point, he doesn't have any intention of staging a holdout. The 25-year-old reiterated that previously stated stance to Anderson.
"Me and my team, we already said what we expected and wanted so there is no need for me to sit around here saying ‘Why my contract not done?’ 'Why is this, and why is that?' I don't have to do that," Freeman said. "I don't have those problems because realistically I am under contract already. I have to play my fourth season, so it's no big deal."
Freeman started all 16 games for the Falcons in 2016, racking up 1,079 rushing yards, 462 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns.