Former Giants defensive end agrees deal with Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons have reached an agreement to sign free-agent defensive end Osi Umenyiora on a two-year contract, according to NFL.com.
The official league website report that the deal is reportedly worth $8.5m, with a maximum value of $12m including $5m guaranteed.
Umenyiora spent 10 seasons with the New York Giants before entering free agency this off season, having helped the franchise to two Super Bowl championships during his time in the Big Apple.
Having been drafted as a second-round pick from Troy State, he has 75 sacks, 31 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries in his career to date, although wasn’t able to come to an agreement in New York to extend his deal.
He had a career high 14 and a half sacks in 2005, only being able to reach double figures again once since back in 2010.
The Falcons needed to find a replacement for John Abraham, and the 31-year-old was seen as an ideal free-agency signing. Umenyiora, who lives in Atlanta, has made no secret of his desire to join the franchise.
In a radio interview last week as reported by NFL.com, the former Giants man said there would be “nothing better to win in New York than being able to win here in Atlanta”.
Despite the disappointment of being released by the Giants, Umenyiora is expected to be a big hit for the Falcons next season and will be looking forward to linking up with his new team-mates.
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