FSU football: Fans react to Atlanta Falcons releasing Devonta Freeman
By Kelvin Hunt
Former FSU football running back Devonta Freeman has played his last game for the Atlanta Falcons. Fans react to the news of him being released.
Devonta Freeman signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons to make him the highest-paid running back in the NFL two years ago.
After an injury-filled 2018, and lower production in 14 games in 2019, the Falcons have decided to release him to save three million dollars against their salary cap.
The two-time Pro Bowl player was selected by the Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the No. 103 overall pick.
He led the NFL in rushing touchdown in 2015 and was a huge part of Atlanta’s passing attack, catching 30+ receptions in five of his six seasons. The lone season he didn’t equal that amount was 2018 when he only appeared in two games.
Breaking: The Falcons have released two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman with three years and $21 million remaining on his contract, first reported by NFL Network, confirmed by ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Y89ZLVEMdh
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 16, 2020
Freeman is a beloved Seminole and was the first running back to crack the 1,000-yard barrier at FSU since Warrick Dunn. There seemed to be a lot of mixed feelings regarding the news of his release.
Twitter Reaction
Goodluck in the future, Devonta Freeman. 👊 pic.twitter.com/LiKG71vNjr
— Falcons Nation (@FalconsNationCP) March 16, 2020
It was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the good times @devontafreeman pic.twitter.com/HnwHLfUtIZ
— social cancer (@SlopingGiraffe) March 16, 2020
Thank you for everything @devontafreeman !!! We love you, and we’ll miss you ❤️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/16WgoBMK74
— Seubs (@mseuberth7) March 16, 2020
Thank you @devontafreeman for your time here in Atlanta. Best wishes wherever you land. pic.twitter.com/FMSh9RHLn1
— Josh Youngblood (@Yblood90) March 16, 2020
Thoughts
The good news for Freeman is he just turned 28 years old yesterday and is a proven running back that probably has some tread left on the tires.
He’s only accumulated over 200 carries twice in his career, but as I mentioned, he has been active in the receiving game. Fans are already speculating on which teams would be interested in Freeman, and he could excel on the right team.
Make no mistake, his drop-off in production wasn’t solely because of him, as the Falcons were terrible last season, going 7-9 and missing the playoffs.
The offense was more pass-happy too, with Matt Ryan putting the ball in the air 65 percent of the time. It’s going to be difficult for any running back to reach the 1,000-yard mark running the ball that infrequently.
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Here’s to hoping Freeman gets picked up by a solid organization with another shot of making it back to the Super Bowl. Had the Falcons fed him the ball in their last Super Bowl appearance, they’d have been crowned champions.