Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman could be playing for another team by the end of the season. Despite being a team captain in 2012, Freeman was not given the honor again this season. There has supposedly been some controversy in the Tampa locker room because players allegedly feel head coach Greg Schiano ignored the team vote and took the “C” away from the five-year veteran. Now, one report indicates Freeman could be seeking a trade.
According to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora, the relationship between Freeman and Schiano is “beyond repair.” The already-deteriorating relationship allegedly worsened when Schiano revealed why Freeman missed the Bucs’ team photo this season (he supposedly overslept). Not only that, but there is plenty of reason to believe Schiano does not trust Freeman as his starting quarterback.
Tampa Bay drafted former North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon in the third round of the NFL Draft in April. La Canfora claims that Glennon is clearly “Schiano’s guy” and that members of the team’s front office, who drafted Freeman in 2009, are the only thing keeping Schiano from turning the reigns over to the rookie.
After throwing just six interceptions during the 2010 season, Freeman has thrown a whopping 40 picks in his last 32 starts. His value is close to rock bottom after playing poorly against the New York Jets in Week 1 and he’s in the last year of his rookie deal. Should the Bucs look to trade him, they can’t expect to get anything more than a late-round draft pick in return. With the relationship between Freeman and Schiano reportedly “beyond repair,” the team may not have another choice.
