Arthur Blank 'Confident' Devonta Freeman Will Sign Falcons Contract Extension

While the Atlanta Falcons are still working on signing a long-term deal with running back Devonta Freeman, owner Arthur Blank said in an interview on 92.9 The Game he's confident an agreement will come soon, via Vaughn McClure of ESPN. 

"He's the kind of person you want to have on your team for all the right reasons," Blank said of Freeman.

This comes about a week after Dianna Russini of ESPN reported the team was confident a deal would be done before the first week of training camp.

The fourth-year running back has earned a Pro Bowl selection in each of the last two seasons, totaling a combined 3,175 yards from scrimmage with 27 touchdowns in this stretch. Despite the success, Freeman has earned a minimal salary as a former fourth-round pick.

Per Spotrac, he enters the final year of his contract set to make about $1.8 million, which is more than his first three years combined.

This has caused some frustration, and his agent, Kristin Campbell, said prior to Super Bowl LI, "It's time for the Falcons to pay him like the elite back he is," per Michael Silver of NFL.com.

Atlanta has a quality backup in Tevin Coleman if negotiations go south, but it appears likely a new deal will be reached with Freeman before any problems arise.