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NFL Free Agency: 5 teams that could sign Chris Long

By John Buhler

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Long was cut by the Los Angeles Rams on Friday afternoon. Here are five teams that could end up signing the veteran defensive end for the 2016 season.

On Friday, veteran defensive end Chris Long was one of three surprising cuts made by the Los Angeles Rams. Long stands as the most interesting of the three, along with linebacker James Laurinaitis and tight end Jared Cook, as Long was the former No. 2 overall pick made by the then St. Louis Rams out of the University of Virginia in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Long spent eight seasons with the Rams, playing in 114 games, making 95 career starts, and totaling 54.5 sacks. Long is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long and the older brother of the Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long.

Though Long will begin his ninth NFL season at 31 years of age and on a new team, he can still be a valuable pass rushing contributor to a team in dire need of on-field talent to get after the quarterback.

Since Long has missed 14 games in the last two seasons, his durability at this stage of his career may be a bit of a concern, but when he’s healthy, Long is a pass rusher capable of making 8.5 sacks a season.

After two down years with the Rams in 2014 and 2015, might a new team that has sniffed at playoff contention in the last decade end up rejuvenating the former No. 2 overall pick? Here are five teams that could have interest in signing the veteran pass rusher formerly of the Rams this offseason.

Next: 5. New Orleans Saints

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