Dwight Freeney could potentially fill the Seahawks’ open roster spot

The Seattle Seahawks may take a look at an interesting name to fill Cliff Avril’s roster spot, with the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta reporting Monday afternoon that he’s heard Dwight Freeney could be an option for the Seahawks. On Monday evening, Dave Mahler of 950 KJR went further, reporting Freeney is on the way to Seattle and will visit the Seahawks tomorrow. At 37, Freeney is still a free agent after playing last season with the Atlanta Falcons.

The longtime Indianapolis Colt would be a positive signing for Seattle for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is he still has something to offer on the field. The 15-year veteran had three sacks and 18 hurries for the Falcons last season in 15 regular season games, playing just 37-percent of snaps. In the playoffs he was a major role player for Atlanta, coming in as Pro Football Focus’s third most productive pass rusher. He saved his best for last in the Falcons’ Super Bowl defeat to the New England Patriots, adding another sack in what could’ve been an incredible ending to his rivalry with Tom Brady.

Off the field, Freeney would be another strong veteran voice in Seattle’s locker room, and has gained a great reputation in recent seasons for his role as a mentor to young pass rushers. Atlanta’s Vic Beasley - who broke out with 15.5 sacks last season - sung Freeney’s praise during Super Bowl week. And one of the best scenes in the first season of All or Nothing: A Season with the Arizona Cardinals came when Freeney kept Arizona’s pass rushers at the facility for an impromptu clinic, making his teammates dinner in the practice facility’s kitchen and teaching them different techniques -- including his famous spin move.

Freeney would join a defensive end group consisting of Michael Bennett, Frank Clark, Marcus Smith and Branden Jackson, who has been a pleasant surprise for Seattle registering seven hurries in his two games on the active roster.

The Seahawks have had an open roster spot since Friday afternoon, so any corresponding move will likely come early this week, with time to get the player prepped for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. After 15 seasons and 179 games, Dwight Freeney could still contribute to the 2017 Seattle Seahawks, and maybe still get that ending against Brady after all.