Falcons ink Freeman to 5-year extension worth reported $41.25M

Devonta Freeman is getting the payday he's been pining for.

The starting running back agreed to a five-year extension with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday that will make him the highest-paid rusher in the league, NFL Network's Mike Silver reports.

Freeman's extension is worth $41.25 million with $22 million in guarantees, according to Silver's colleague, Ian Rapoport.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy previously owned the richest contract for a running back, valued at $40 million over five years.

"We are very pleased that we were able to get this extension done," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a press release. "Devonta embodies everything we are looking for in a Falcon, and we are proud that he'll be able to spend his career in Atlanta."

Freeman has produced back-to-back seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He helped lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, a game in which he scored a touchdown.

The 25-year-old was entering the final year of his rookie contract, and spoke extensively this offseason of his desire for a new deal.

"This is where I've always wanted to be," Freeman said in the press release.