San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano has revealed that Dwight Freeney will have to play every down for the team despite his advancing years.
The 33-year-old signed for Mike McCoy's side in the off-season, ending his 11-year stay with Indianapolis Colts where he amassed 107.5 sacks as an edge rusher.
Pagano told NFL.com: "He's going to be an every-down guy for us. Need him on first, second, third down.
"He's going to play all downs. If you spot guys here and there, they never get into the defense. They never get the defense.
"They don't understand the whole process of the defensive calls. That's the mindset he has. Otherwise, you never learn the why. He is a why guy."
San Diego begin their regular season campaign against Houston Texans on September 9.
