Free agent running back Devonta Freeman has hired NFL-super agent Drew Rosenhaus as he tries to get on a team before training camps around the league really kick off next week.
"We want to work out a deal in the immediate future, and we are open to any team," Rosenhaus said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He's healty, he's in shape, and I'm on a mission to have him give a team a lift in late July."
Freeman signing with Rosenhaus is noteworthy, as Rosenhaus has had a long history of getting deals done with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. Rosenhaus represents five players currently on the Eagles roster.
Will Freeman be the next one?
Throughout the offseason the teams tied to Freeman the most have been the Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles have reportedly, per the Philadelphia Inquirer, made an offer to Freeman, although the details of that offer are not known.
The Buccaneers currently only have around $4.8 million in cap space, per OverTheCap. If reports about Freeman wanting around $4 million a year are true, it could be tough for the Buccaneers to make that happen. Carlos Hyde, who was one of the top available running backs, signed a one-year deal recently with the Seattle Seahawks that is worth up to $4 million, but has a cap hit of $2.75 million. The Buccaneers are all-in on trying to win this year, however, so they might be willing to simply pay what it takes to land Freeman.
It is easy to see why Freeman would be an attractive player for the Eagles.
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.
The question will be the money. The Eagles are in a very tight spot financially, especially with a potential massive blow to the cap hit coming in 2021 due to COVID-19 revenue losses. Committing as much as $4 million of their remaining $19 million cap space to a backup running back is likely not a move Roseman will make.
Rosenhaus and Roseman, however, know how to get a deal done -- which is why Freeman joining the Eagles before training camp next week shouldn't be ruled out.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
