Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Sports

Source: Josh Freeman seeking trade

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
728cee98-

Josh Freeman is seeking a trade, a source close to the situation told FOXSports.com on Wednesday, just hours after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was demoted to the backup role behind rookie Mike Glennon.

No official communication has been made to or from Freeman, the source said, but the request to engage in talks is expected to come soon. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Bucs would be open to trade talks.

Freeman may desire a trade, but will it happen? His $8.43 million salary in 2013 precludes many teams from even considering it, but that deal ends after this season as he'll become a free agent.

Specifics on other teams and interest levels were not clear, but the fifth-year veteran would likely be a good fit with a couple of teams in need of help at the position, including the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.

Freeman earned Pro Bowl status in 2010 when he played under Greg Olson, currently the Raiders offensive coordinator, in Tampa Bay from 2009-11. Freeman enjoyed his best seasons with Olson and would likely be a seamless fit in that offense.

The Vikings have quarterback issues of their own. Former first-round pick Christian Ponder has been a disappointment since being selected in 2011. Freeman would be an upgrade. The Vikings, however, currently don't have the cap space to acquire him, so he would likely not be the only piece in the trade.

It's been a rough season for Freeman. He was dissed by a quarterback legend. His relationship with head coach Greg Schiano reportedly splintered in recent months. Another report said he missed a team photo earlier this month. And he was also stripped of his duties as team captain before the season. Trade rumors had already been swirling around Freeman, and Wednesday's decision by Buccaneers brass was the final straw, the source said.

The Buccaneers made a long-term decision by making Glennon the starting quarterback in Week 4's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Glennon, who was selected in the third round of April's draft, will have a bye week to evaluate his preparation and play heading into a Week 6 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The league's trade deadline is Oct. 29.