A potential suitor for free-agent running back Devonta Freeman might be out -- or at least playing hard to get.
Freeman has been relatively healthy throughout his career, playing 14 games last season for the Atlanta Falcons, and playing at least 14 games in five of his six seasons. Freeman is a very solid pass catcher out of the backfield, a major bonus in the Eagles’ offense. Freeman caught 59 passes for 410 yards last season on 70 targets, averaging 6.9 yards-per-catch and scoring four touchdowns. His yards-per-carry were a career-low last season, at just 3.6, which is a bit of a red flag, but he is big enough to be the team’s between-the-tackle runner if needed.
Freeman also seems to be the best fit with Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, as he brings a nice combination of versatility and experience, while also having the potential to be the top-back if needed due to injury.
As Arians noted, however, the question seems to be the money and if Freeman would rather come to Philadelphia instead of Tampa Bay. The Eagles have enough cap space to sign Freeman if they want, with $24 million available, but a recent report stated they might be unwilling to go up to the $4 million Freeman reportedly wants. The Eagles need to hold onto as much cap space as possible, as they need money to roll over into next offseason, when they are projected to be $50 million over the cap.
With the Buccaneers aparently unwilling to meet Freeman's demands, the question at this point seems to be whether any team will -- and if no team does, which team will Freeman decide to take less money to play for.