Josh Freeman Wants Trade After Benching By Buccaneers

Josh Freeman wants the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to trade him after head coach Greg Schiano announced rookie Mike Glennon would start Sunday.

The good news for Josh Freeman is the feeling is mutual, and the Buccaneers are reportedly open to trading the fifth year quarterback for the right offer.

Sources close to the situation claim Freeman would like to go somewhere he can play right away. This is the first time in a five year career he has been benched, and he was benched for a rookie no less. The feeling is understandable

There are a number quarterback needy teams that could benefit from a trade. In fact, there’s another team in Florida in desperate need of a quarterback. Could an interstate swap be a possibility?

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport spoke with two league general managers to gauge interest in Josh Freeman. Both told him the believe there will be no interest until a starter goes down with a serious injury.

There are two major factors holding a Josh Freeman trade back. First is his reputation as a lazy player who sleeps through team meetings, and second is his remaining salary. Freeman is owed $6.44 million for the rest of this season and becomes a free agent after. Why pay big money for him now when you can wait and get him cheap in free agency?

Josh Freeman is still young and being benched will not end his NFL career. In 2010, he threw 25 touchdowns against six interceptions, and last season he threw 27 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. There is enough on the young man’s resume to warrant a team taking a risk.

Do you think Josh Freeman will be traded this season? Where do you think he will be playing next season?

[image via Wikimedia Commons]