2016 NFL free agency: Dwight Freeney wants to play in 2016, hopes to return to Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals seek to add to their pass rush this offseason and they have a pass rusher who wants to return to the Cardinals. Veteran Dwight Freeney, who signed with the team in October and led the team with eight sacks, wants to play football in 2016 and hopes to return to the Cardinals, although he is willing to consider other teams.

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL radio, he indicated he wants to sign with a team actually in the offseason, not well into the season like last year.

"I'm used to going in there, talking like August for training camp and I actually signed like in October," he said. He indicated it was difficult to keep up with training, conditioning and drills waiting that long.

He is hoping things happen actually in the offseason and he wants it to be with the Cardinals.

"Hopefully we can come to an agreement with the Cardinals, but they have to see what they need to do, too," he said. "I understand this business. It's a young man's game and they want to figure what what they need to do. I'm here if they need me. If not, I would love to play somewhere else."

Freeney was a great and necessary addition to the Cardinals last season. I can't imagine why they wouldn't want him back. Of course, it might have been a case of whether they added a bigger name. He is perfect as situational rusher. He is a great teammate and leader and he was extremely helpful to the younger players like Markus Golden.

If he is looking for more than the type of deal he got last year -- minimum salary with sack incentives -- then I would give pause, but it seems like a no-brainer to bring him back.