Colts Linebacker Jerrell Freeman Skipping Workouts

The Indianapolis Colts started preparing for the 2015 season with the start of offseason workouts on Monday. The vast majority of players on the roster showed up at the Colts Complex, but notably absent was starting inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman.

Freeman is a restricted free agent who has yet to sign the second-round tender worth over $2 million. It would essentially be a one-year contract for the linebacker.

The workouts are voluntary, so Freeman is not violating any team policy by not showing up. He’s also not even under contract yet with the team.

From Stephen Holder of the IndyStar on the situation:

"Freeman, though not technically under contract, can participate in offseason workouts. Because he’s been tendered a restricted free agent contract from the team — giving the Colts the right of first refusal to any competing offer — Freeman is permitted to join the team by signing a separate document that would protect him is he chose to work out. So far, Freeman has elected not to."

Freeman has until Friday to secure an offer from another team, which seems unlikely. Its been six weeks and any team signing a qualifying offer would also have to give the Colts a second-round pick, which is frankly too high for a player like Freeman.

"The team tendered Freeman at a level that suggests he has value. By tendering him at a second-round level, the Colts’ offer would pay Freeman $2.35 million on a one-year deal (a big bump from the $570,000 minimum salary he earned last season on a rookie deal)."

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While there hasn’t been official word from Freeman’s camp, it seems clear that he is holding out for a long term deal with the team. The Colts, however, hold more leverage in this situation. While the team can’t force him to attend workouts, they did sign Nate Irving as a depth player but he has starting experience and could push for Freeman’s job (assuming he’s healthy).

Freeman wasn’t the only player who won’t be at the team workouts. Tight end Dwayne Allen showed up on Monday and promptly left to train in Arizona. The difference is that Allen is under contract and the team approved his workout plan.

We’ll have updates on the Freeman situation as it develops but right now it doesn’t appear to be all that serious or contentious.