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

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

3 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

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