Dwight Freeney Signs With Lions

Dwight Freeney

The Detroit Lions have signed defensive end Dwight Freeney, after has was waived by the Seattle Seahawks.

In a sudden change, Freeney was cut by the Seahawks on Tuesday. He reacted on Twitter, saying he was “confused” but looking forward to the future.

At 37, Dwight Freeney is most associated with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played for eleven years.

He has 125.5 career sacks, also playing for the L.A Chargers, Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons. His sack record is second to Julius Peppers (151) among active players.

Freeney’s playing time has been limited this year and he only made his Seahawks debut in Week 8. In his first two games he won 3 sacks and he was actually the team’s most productive pass-rusher for the short time he played.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll gave the impression that the decision to cut Freeney was a wrench, but ultimately a good business decision. He said:

“There’s cap concerns and all kinds of issues that we are dealing with right now.”

Teammates Sheldon Richardson and Frank Clark have spoken about the positive influence Freeney had on them.

“I learned a lot. I learned A LOT,” Richardson said. “What he taught me, I’ll definitely keep with me.”

“We had a lot of talks,” said Frank Clark. “He taught me a lot of things, on as well as off the field. He showed me a lot of things. A credit to him. I thank him for it.”

In Detroit, Dwight Freeney will be reunited with former Colts coach Jim Caldwell. The Lions boss coached Freeney from 2009-2011. During that time, Freeney was a Pro Bowler every season, as well as a first-team All Pro in 2009. The Detroit Lions will be his 6th NFL team and for the first time, his second team in a season.

Veteran

Since being drafted out of Syracuse in the first round of the 2002 draft, Freeney has 341 tackles, 47 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. He has been to the Pro Bowl seven times and was in the first-team All-Pro three times.

He also made the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 2000’s. In spite of his age, he will be an asset for a Lions team chasing the playoffs. His 14 sacks since 2015 are only bested by Ezekiel Ansah (20.5) among Detroit defensive linemen.

Wide receiver Jace Billingsley was waived to accommodate Freeney in detroit, who also signed defensive tackle Christian Ringo from the reserves.