We continue our player-by-player look at the San Diego Chargers' potential unrestricted free agents with a closer examination of an aging but productive pass-rusher.
OLB Dwight Freeney
With 111 career sacks, Freeney is 20th on the all-time sack list, a half-sack ahead of former Indianapolis Colts’ teammate Robert Mathis. A potential Hall of Famer, the Syracuse product returned from a torn quad injury that required surgery after a shortened 2013 season, an injury that some did not think he would come back from at this point in his career. Freeney, 35, is not the same player that developed the patented spin move during his time in Indianapolis, but Freeney also believes he can still be productive if given an opportunity.
Chargers career: Freeney played 16 games for the first time in four years and at season’s end said the he would contemplate the possibility of retiring before deciding if he’ll play a 14th NFL season. Freeney played a total of 531 snaps for the Chargers last season, finishing with just 3.5 sacks, but at times still showed that he has enough energy to consistently pressure the passer. Freeney led the Chargers with 22 quarterback hits.
Argument for keeping Freeney: Now healthy, Freeney should play faster another year removed from a torn quad injury. Freeney was effective when defensive coordinator John Pagano limited his snap count, and perhaps with more depth at edge rusher the Chargers could get more impact plays from Freeney with less time on the field.
Argument for letting Freeney go: Young players like Melvin Ingram, Jeremiah Attaochu, Tourek Williams and Cordarro Law have to develop into impact players, and keeping Freeney around stunts their development.
What should happen with Freeney: He has said he wants to play another season. If the Chargers can bring Freeney back on a one-year deal at a reasonable price, they should consider it. Freeney is a good mentor to the younger players, and if used as a rotational pass-rusher on passing downs, he should make it through another productive season.