Former Colts Great Dwight Freeney to Sign With Cardinals

According to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin, former Indianapolis Colts pass rushing great Dwight Freeney will be signing with the Arizona Cardinals in order to upgrade their pass rush:

DE/OLB Dwight Freeney is signing a one-year deal with the #AZCardinals a source said. Still has plenty of gas in the tank. Solid addition.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) October 12, 2015

Of course, Freeney will be reuniting with a familiar face in Cardinals head Coach Bruce Arians, who previously served as the Colts interim head coach and offensive coordinator during the 2012 season–Freeney’s last year in Indianapolis.

Sep 8, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Diego Chargers linebacker Dwight Freeney (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 35 year old veteran appeared in 16 games for the San Diego Chargers last season, recording 3.5 sacks. While his best days are clearly behind the 13-year veteran, he still can prove to be useful as a situational pass rusher.

According to ProFootballFocus (subscription), Freeney received the 7th best pass rushing grade among all 3-4 OLB’s last season with a +16.3 advanced grade. While his sack output clearly didn’t show it, Freeney was still plenty effective at getting to the quarterback.

It’s nothing new for Freeney, who ranks 21st all-time among the NFL’s all-time sack leaders with 111.5 career sacks. The all-time pass rushing great played 11 years in Indianapolis, recording 107.5 sacks and 43 forced fumbles during that span. He was a Super Bowl XLI Champion, 7x Pro Bowler, 3x First-Team All-Pro, and AFC Defensive Player of the Year while with the Colts.

Quite frankly, Freeney was largely a dominating defensive force as a Colt, consistently drawing double teams and making opposing left tackles routinely look foolish with his patented spin move. Along with Robert Mathis, he helped form one of the best pass rushing pairs in NFL history for the Colts and currently ranks 2nd-all time among the franchise’s sack leaders.

Like another Colts great Reggie Wayne, he still clearly has the itch to keep playing. Only this time around, thankfully it isn’t with New England.

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