Josh Freeman was drafted to be the new face of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he has certainly not played poorly in his first four years in the NFL, he has yet to bring real success to the Buccaneers as a starting quarterback, something the team was banking on. This past NFL Draft, Tampa Bay elected to draft quarterback Mike Glennon in the third round and many are speculating Tampa Bay is grooming the rookie to be a starter in 2014 if Freeman turns in another average year.
While head coach Greg Schiano continues to say that Freeman is the starting quarterback of Tampa Bay, the front office does not appear to be as committed to the 25-year-old. Freeman is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Instead of negotiating an extension, Tampa Bay has elected to let Freeman play out the final year of his deal before thinking about re-signing him.
Freeman's career in Tampa Bay has been plagued by inconsistency. He turned in franchise records in 2012, throwing for 4,065 yards and 27 touchdowns. But in 2011, he threw just 16 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions. That wide range in numbers has Tampa Bay worried that 2013 could go either way for Freeman. Greg Cosell of NFL Films recently spoke on the quarterback situation in Tampa, feeling like Freeman's days are numbered.
"Quite frankly, Josh Freeman is on the clock. Freeman needs to have a very good season or Mike Glennon will get a very legitimate chance to be the starter, and could be the starter in 2014. In the NFL, there are four or five throws in every game that are difficult throws and you have to be willing to pull the trigger and throw balls when it appears that your receivers are covered. Mike Glennon is willing to do that," Cosell said.
Freeman is well aware that there is a rookie hot on his tails. He spoke with the Tampa Bay Times and said that even though it is a contract year, he feels no pressure and is simply excited to be on the field preparing for 2013. If Freeman is able to pull together a successful 2013 season, most NFL teams will be highly interested in his services. Since he will have the chance to enter into free agency, he could garner a lot of attention and a nice raise.
"If I just give it the best I've got regardless...if I give it the best I've got and the Buccaneers say, 'Ah, we don't think he can play for us,' at the end of the year and every other team in the NFL does and I end up wherever I end up doing whatever, I'll be content because I'll know I gave it the best I had," Freeman said.
