Super Bowl LI: Former Arizona Cardinals in game

Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general overall view of NFL official Wilson Duke football with Super Bowl LI logo at NRG Stadium prior to Super Bowl LI between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general overall view of NFL official Wilson Duke football with Super Bowl LI logo at NRG Stadium prior to Super Bowl LI between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) looks on during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) looks on during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwight Freeney

After leading the Cardinals in sacks in 2015 with eight sacks, he spent most of the offseason wondering where he would end up.  Even late into the summer, there was still hope he’d return to Arizona.

However, Freeney signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.  He played in 15 games for the Falcons in 2016, however his playing time was very limited.

Freeney ended up with three sacks on the season.  Freeney just finished his 15th and possibly his last in the NFL.

The Cardinals decided to move in another direction after the 2015 season despite his success. Much of it was due to the arrival of Chandler Jones and the emergence of Markus Golden.

The Cardinals wanted to be younger at the position.  Freeney clearly didn’t fit that bill.  For his career however, Freeney has 112.5 sacks.

Freeney also was with the Indianapolis Colts when they won Super Bowl XLI in February 2007. The Cardinals will end up being the only team Freeney played for that did not reach the Super Bowl during his time there.