Osi Umenyiora, Atlanta Falcons agree to contract

The veteran defensive end agreed to a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported Wednesday, citing a team source. The Falcons later confirmed the deal.

Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer was the first to report the agreement.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported the two-year contract the Falcons gave Umenyiora is worth $8.5 million with a maximum value of $12.2 million. The contract also includes $5 million in the first year, according to Rapoport.

Umenyiora took to Twitter to announce the move, which has been expected for some time.

The Falcons were in need of a pass rusher to replace John Abraham. Umenyiora, who lives in Atlanta, made it clear in a radio interview last week that the Falcons were his first choice.
"There was nothing better than to be able to win (in New York)," Umenyiora said then, referring to his two Super Bowl wins with the Giants. "The only thing I can think of that would be better than being able to win in New York would be to be able to win here in Atlanta. We'll see how that plays out. Hopefully, it works out in a positive direction."

Umenyiora spent his first nine seasons with the Giants, collecting 75 sacks. He was a part-time player by his final season in the Meadowlands, finishing with six sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Umenyiora will help the Falcons' middling pass rush, but look for the team to seek more help in that department through the draft.