When Osi Umenyiora signed over to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2013 offseason, he was viewed as the final piece to the defensive puzzle. However, that puzzle failed all season long as injuries killed any chance of productivity on the field. As general manager Thomas Dimitroff announces his plans for a more physical defensive front in 2014, is Umenyiora going to be part of that future?
Umenyiora is making it known that he prefers to remain with the Atlanta Falcons through his current contract. His contract could be the issue that keeps that from happening. The defensive end set to be a $4.75 salary cap hit in 2014. If the Falcons were to outright cut Umenyiora they would save $3.5 million in cash. With the defensive end being on the wrong end of 30, things are not working in his favor.
"I would love to stay, and I think I am," Umenyiora told ESPN.com. "But you really never know what's going to happen. My eyes have been opened: I understand the business pretty much as well as anybody in football right now because of a lot of the things that have happened. And I know it's nothing personal."
Umenyiora has stats in his favor. While he is no longer the pass rushing force he once was when the New York Giants won two Super Bowls, but he did lead the team with 7.5 sacks this season and considering how bad the Falcons' defense was, that is impressive. He also returned a 68-yard interception for a touchdown that was one of the lone highlights of the season.
"I know they are going to do whatever is necessary to better their team," Umenyiora said. "That's just part of it. It's never personal. I'll always have a tremendous amount of respect and love for Mr. Dimitroff. He gave me a great opportunity. It's pretty much whatever at this point."
The Falcons are making defense a priority in the offseason and could look to get younger. ESPN has the Falcons predicted as a team to make a run at free agents like Brian Orakpo or Michael Johnson who are both younger and more productive than Umenyiora.
Atlanta is also one of the many teams heavily pursuing Jadeveon Clowney in the upcoming NFL Draft. Pairing the young rookie with players like Malliciah Goodman, Sean Weatherspoon and Jonathan Massaquoi could be a solid option for the Falcons. However, the argument could be made that Umenyiora would be the ideal mentor for Clowney if the Falcons do land him with the No. 6 pick. The veteran understands everything will come down to money and he is prepared for whatever happens.
"To say that money is not a lot would be crazy because that's a lot of money, period," Umenyiora said. "But if you look at it strictly in football terms and what the top-tier defensive ends are getting paid. ... Mario Williams, who is making like, what, $16 million per year? It's tough for me to answer that [money] question because it all depends on what my perceived value to the team is.''