Could the Jets be in the market for another running back after signing veteran Frank Gore?
According to NFL.com’s Michael Silver, the Jets are among the teams interested in free agent running back Devonta Freeman. The Seahawks have offered him a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, according to Silver. The Eagles have also expressed interest.
A two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection in 2015, Freeman spent the first six seasons of his career with the Falcons. He led the league in rushing touchdowns with 11 in 2015 and replicated that total the following year. Freeman also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2015 and 2016 while factoring heavily into Atlanta’s passing attack.
In 2017, Freeman signed a five-year, $41.25 million extension with the Falcons, making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back at the time. However, he failed to rush for over 1,000 yards that season and his production as a receiver dropped as well. The 2018 season was a lost one for Freeman, as he only appeared in two games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Freeman returned in 2019 and started 14 games for the Falcons, but struggled throughout the year, rushing for only 656 yards and two touchdowns on 3.6 yards per carry.
New York’s interest in Freeman is curious considering it just signed Gore and drafted Florida running back La’Mical Perine in the fourth round. Perine could use a year to develop, but adding Freeman to the running back room would make things awfully crowded.
If anything, Freeman would give the Jets another running back that can catch passes out of the backfield and make plays between the tackles. It’s tough, however, to see where he would fit into Adam Gase’s offense with the presence of Le’Veon Bell, who thrives as a receiver, and Gore, who has made a career punishing defenses running between the tackles.