A) Dwight Freeney is signed through 2008.
B) Whether a player is on their rookie contract or not doesn't matter. A player is a resticted free agent when he has 3 accredited seasons. If more than that, he's an unrestricted free agent. If less, he's an exclusive rights free agent.
Dwight Freeney signed a 7-year contract in 2002, when he was drafted:
Quote:
1. DE Dwight Freeney (Syracuse/No. 11 overall) -- Signing bonus: $3,000,000. Base salaries: $944,000 (2002); $1,180,000 (2003); $1,416,000 (2004); $1,652,000 (2005); $1,888,000 (2006); $2,124,000 (2007); and $2,360,000 (2008). Notes: Team can exercise option-buyout on 2008 season with $3,000,000 payment next spring. If exercised, base salaries are reduced to $300,000 (2003); $391,000 (2004); $600,000 (2005); and $765,000 (2006). The 2007-2008 seasons are voided with minimal playing time. Total: seven years, $14,564,000, or five years, $9,000,000. Cap value: $1,372,000.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/afc/draftsignings2002.html
Here's his more current base salary numbers:
Quote:
2006 5000000.00
2007 1001000.00
2008 1237000.00
http://nflpa.org/Members/playerProfile.asp?ID=32987
When the 2008 league year is up, he'll be an unrestricted free agent.
The only case where he would be a restricted free agent would be if he was a free agent after the 2004 league year and had been on the roster long enough in 2002-4 to get an accredited season (3 games, I believe, I.R. and PUP included). Obviously, that wasn't the case. Since he now has 4 accredited seasons under his belt, he's an unresticted free agent for life.