The Facts: Considering his financial aspirations weighed against the risk of injury, it would be understandable if Freeman skipped the team's offseason football activities until given a new contract. That won't be happening. Freeman told Sporting News he will partake in all of Atlanta's upcoming workouts and minicamp while remaining optimistic that a deal can be finalized before the 2017 regular season begins.

Diehards Line:According to Sporting News staffer Alex Marvez, Freeman said the decision is based on his passion for football and strong feelings toward his teammates, as well as faith in the Falcons to extend his current rookie deal, which is set to expire at the end of the 2017 season. "I’m doing everything," Freeman said Wednesday after participating in the players-only workouts organized by Matt Ryan at the University of Miami. Freeman, 25, is set to earn $1.84 million in the final year of the contract he signed as a 2014 fourth-round draft pick. Freeman, though, has put himself in position for a significant raise after two consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards. It sounds like a new deal is coming although it might take until training camp.