Freeman was heavily discussed in trade talks between the Falcons and Lions before Tuesday's deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman is in the second season of a five-year, $41.25 million extension, playing for a team that has no realistic chance to make the playoffs. He's on pace for a 70-544-6 receiving line, but he already has fumbled three times (losing two) and is averaging a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry. It isn't entirely clear that Freeman has a future in Atlanta beyond 2019, though the failure to complete a trade might be taken as a hint in that direction. Either way, he should retain his lead role in the backfield when the Falcons come back from their Week 9 bye for a nightmarish Week 10 matchup in New Orleans.