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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the New York Jets.
The Denver Broncos may not be the first team that comes to mind, but former Atlanta Falcons star Devonta Freeman is eyeing another shot at the NFL.
Freeman, a fourth-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2014, has not played since 2021. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants. Freeman signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2021, then under Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Despite the long layoff, Freeman took to X to declare his desire for a comeback.
“Focused and in top shape, just grinding and hoping for another NFL shot this summer,” Freeman posted on X on June 19. “All I wanna do is ball and make it happen. Let’s get it!”
Unfortunately for Freeman, the Broncos happen to be deep at running back.
They returned four players from their 2024 team in Audric Estime, Blake Watson, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie. The Broncos also drafted RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 draft and signed J.K. Dobbins in free agency.
Sean Payton Apologized to Devonta Freeman For Choking Gesture
GettyDevonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after a carry against the New Orleans Saints.
Payton and Freeman had a run-in long before the former coached the Broncos. It was even before they were both with the Saints organization.
Payton made a choking gesture at Freeman when the Saints and Falcons played one another. It was in reference to Atlanta’s come-from-ahead loss to the New England Patriots after holding a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl following the 2017 regular season.
The Broncos’ head coach denied any recollection of the event after the game and faced heavy scrutiny for the act and his explanation.
Payton later owned up to it, admitting his emotions took over, and apologized to Freeman.
When the two reunited in New Orleans, Payton touted Freeman’s versatility and that he had been a “big fan” of the then-29-year-old runner. The Saints cut Freeman less than one month later as part of their final roster cutdowns.
A rash of injuries could still see the Broncos turn to several other options with more recent experience than Freeman.
Freeman has not been the picture of durability over his last few seasons in the league.
Devonta Freeman a Questionable Fit for Broncos
GettyDevonta Freeman #33 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos did allow last season’s leading rusher, Javonte Williams, to join the Dallas Cowboys in free agency this offseason, leaving them to project everyone else in new roles.
But Freeman, who did not specify the Broncos or any other team in his message, turned 33 in March. He led the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2015, the first of his back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.
Freeman tied that mark in 2016, crossing the 1,000-yard mark in both campaigns.
He missed 29 games from 2017 through 2020 before posting a 133-576-5 line in 16 appearances with eight starts for the Ravens in 2021.
Freeman’s age, injury history, and even his production all work against him and the idea of a reunion with Payton on the Broncos.
However, they could bring him in for a tryout, which could land him on other teams’ short list of players to keep in mind should they experience some sort of hardship at running back. At any rate, Freeman remains determined to come back.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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