On locker clean-out day Dec. 30, Falcons linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, the team’s leading tackler the past two seasons, said he had not heard from the team.
Now they have.
“We have had preliminary discussions with the Falcons for De’Vondre,” super agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday.
Campbell, who led the Falcons in tackles this season (129) and last season (94), is set to become a free agent in March.
Campbell, who was drafted in the fourth round (115th overall) in 2016 out of Minnesota, wants to return to the Falcons.
“Yeah, definitely,” Campbell said Dec. 30. “They gave me an opportunity that 31 other teams didn’t. It would be special to come back, but I understand how this business works.”
Rosenhaus said he expects to see a robust market for Campbell if he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
In addition to the tackle total, Campbell had two sacks, six tackles for losses, two quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Here’s a list of potential Falcons free agents:
Unrestricted free agents – Defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley, defensive tackle Jack Crawford, punter Matt Bosher, defensive end Adrian Clayborn, quarterback Matt Schaub (club option), wide receiver Justin Hardy, cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, safety/linebacker Kemal Ishmael, defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, safety J.J. Wilcox, defensive end Steven Means, running back Kenjon Barner, fullback Keith Smith, safety John Cyprien, punter Ryan Allen, cornerback Jamar Taylor, tight end Austin Hooper, linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, offensive lineman John Wetzel, safety Sharrod Neasman, quarterback Matt Simms and offensive guard/center Wes Schweitzer.
Restricted free agents – Defensive tackle Michael Bennett, kicker Younghoe Koo and running back Brian Hill.
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