Falcons not interested in Jason Babin, according to report

The team with the NFC's best record, the Atlanta Falcons, have "zero interest" in recently released pass rusher Jason Babin, according to Rebecca Haarlow of NFL Network. Babin, who registered 18 sacks last season with the Eagles, was abruptly released by the team on Tuesday, just one day after a Monday night loss to the Panthers -- the team's seventh straight in a season that has spiraled downward. The Pro Bowl defensive end was in just the second season of a five-year deal with the Eagles.

The Falcons were thought to be a potential destination for Babin, who could line up opposite veteran John Abraham who is still going strong in his 13th season in the NFL. The Falcons abruptly released one of their own pass rushers earlier this month when they let go of Ray Edwards, one of their big offseason free agent acquisitions. But Thomas Dimitroff and the Atlanta organization are apparently not interested in adding Babin.

If he goes unclaimed in the waiver process, he will be free to sign with any team in the league and likely choose a playoff-contending club. He has a $5.7 million contract with $1.5 million left on it this season. A team would have to be willing to take on that remaining amount for five games, with Babin also having two more years on his deal beyond this season.