Reports have surfaced that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released fifth-year quarterback and 2009 first round draft pick Josh Freeman from the team. It was expected that Tampa would release or trade the quarterback following his recent struggles rumored disconnect with head coach Greg Schiano.
Freeman and Schiano's issues first came to light when the team was reportedly angry at Freeman, 25, for showing up late to a team picture because he overslept. Reports then surfaced that Freeman, who was a captain on the team last year, had his captaincy taken away as a result of a team vote. When the team got off to a bad start during the first three weeks of the season, Schiano then decided to bench Freeman in favor of rookie quarterback Mike Glennon, who started during the team's Week 4 13-10 loss at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals.
Freeman was asked after the benching if he thought he should pursue a career with a different team and he said he believed his time in Tampa Bay had run its course.
"No question," Freeman told ESPN on Sunday NFL Countdown when asked if it was time for him to be traded. "It's uncomfortable to say, and it might not sit well, it might not feel good, but the bottom line is I am me as a player. I can't worry about everyone else."
Things only began to escalate further when someone leaked information to the media that Freeman was in the NFL's drug program, though he had a temporary use exemption from the league from a prescription drug he was using. Even though it wasn't an illegal drug, whoever leaked the information violated league policy and Freeman's privacy.
Reports later also indicated that Freeman was recently fined twice by the team for behaviors that were "detrimental" and that the team was contemplating suspending him for his violations before it decided to release him.
Freeman watched the team's latest loss from high atop Raymond James Stadium as he wasn't dressed to play because Schiano dropped him from the starting quarterback to No.3 on the team's depth chart.
Reports indicate that the Bucs tried to trade Freeman, but after a deal couldn't be reached with any other teams, they decided to release the quarterback after a tumultuous couple of months this season.
Freeman expressed his frustration after learning about being benched in favor of Glennon for last Sunday's game.
"I'm frustrated, kind of angry, don't really understand the decision, but I'm not the coach," Freeman told ESPN. "I don't make personnel moves. I don't make those decisions. That's his job to do."
Freeman went 43-for-94 (45.7%) through three games this season, for 571 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Tampa Bay has a bye week in Week 5, but it would appear going forward that the Glennon era has officially begun.
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