ARIZONA CARDINALS

Report: Free agent Dwight Freeney to work out for the Cincinnati Bengals

May 24, 2016, 8:18 AM | Updated: 2:15 pm

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dwight Freeney (54) salutes the fans with teammate Markus Golden (44) ...

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dwight Freeney (54) salutes the fans with teammate Markus Golden (44) after his sack in Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Dwight Freeney was a godsend for the Arizona Cardinals in 2015.

The veteran pass rusher admitted he was a week away from walking away from football when general manager Steve Keim called in October and lured the seven-time Pro Bowler out to the desert.

He ended up leading the Cardinals with eight sacks in 11 games, helping them to a spot in the NFC Championship Game.

But Freeney was only on a one-year deal. Despite showing he can still get to the quarterback, he remains a free agent in late-May. That could be changing, according to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Coley Harvey.

Harvey reports that Freeney will work out for the Cincinnati Bengals, who open OTAs Tuesday.

If he were to sign with the Bengals, Freeney would have to adapt to their 4-3 base defense. It means he likely would play only in specific sub packages. Such a signing would, in that way, be like James Harrison’s addition to Cincinnati’s defense in 2013. Harrison, then 35, was coming from a 3-4 defense and had some difficulty transitioning to the Bengals’ scheme. He had only two sacks. The past two seasons with the Steelers, however, Harrison has had 5.0 and 5.5 sacks, respectively.

Freeney stated in an interview with ESPN earlier this month that he preferred staying in Arizona, but was willing to move on for a good situation with a contending team.

“Obviously I have some ties there (in Arizona), but you know what, if it doesn’t work out here it could be anywhere,” he said. “It just depends. It has to be a winning team, something that I would love to be a part. I’m used to winning; it’s not great to be part of a losing organization, so for me, if they have a chance of winning and doing some great things, you know what, I’m there.”

With the additions of Chandler Jones and Robert Nkemdiche this offseason, the Cardinals’ pass rush looks to be beefed up for the 2016 season, so Freeney returning would have to be considered a luxury.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

7 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

11 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Report: Free agent Dwight Freeney to work out for the Cincinnati Bengals