The Falcons have agreed to sign linebacker Barkevious Mingo (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). His one-year deal is worth $1.25MM with $1.1MM guaranteed, according to ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein. 
[RELATED: Falcons To Sign Mike Davis]
Mingo, a 6’5″, 235-pound ‘backer, spent last year with the Bears. He appeared in 36% of the team’s snaps but played a much larger role on special teams. On defense, he finished with a total of 35 stops and 2.5 sacks while appearing in all 16 games.
The LSU product entered the league with lofty expectations as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft. That pick didn’t exactly work out for the Browns, but Mingo has enjoyed a solid career over the last eight years. His 2016 stop in New England yielded a Super Bowl ring and he’s now signed for his ninth season in the league.
Mingo will be joined by lots of fellow fresh faces in Atlanta, including the newly-signed Mike Davis.
Yeah, he’s not a bad player, despite not being the elite game changer he was supposed to be and sacks aren’t the only way to judge front seven players, just like interceptions aren’t the only way to judge defensive backs, but he’s only had 7.5 sacks since recording 5.0 in his rookie season, with his highest being 2.5 last season. Even so, he would still be the best linebacker for some teams desperate for linebacker help, probably not all teams that are, though.
With a name as cool as Barkevious Mingo there are sure to be numerous career opportunities after football.