No matter how many times Greg Schiano claimed Josh Freeman was the quarterback of the Tampa Bay franchise, it was clear the head coach was never fully committed to the statement. Drama between the two started before the season kicked off and carrier on until Freeman was eventually released by the Buccaneers. After getting bullied around by the team at the start of the year, Freeman is looking for a fresh start with the Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback is speaking out on the whole drama that led to his release.
Freeman went on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss his highly publicized exit from Tampa Bay. The quarterback notes that what it all boiled down to was the fact that Schiano did not believe in the talents of Freeman.
They didn't see me as the guy," Freeman said. "They didn't see me as the guy who could get it done and I strongly disagree with that. But at the same time, it's not really my decision to make. It's just been an awesome deal, being blessed, having the opportunity to come play with an organization like Minnesota."
Schiano stood by Freeman in the preseason. He had nothing but praise for the quarterback noting the team had full confidence he could bounce back from recent struggles. Those statements became muddy when Tampa Bay opted to draft quarterback Mike Glennon as the backup to Freeman instead of bringing in a veteran. His spot as starter was in question from that moment on.
"You hear a lot of speculation and whispers and people saying different things, but the bottom line is it was a situation where the coach wanted to bring in his guy," Freeman said. "It happens all the time in this league."
Freeman notes that Schiano took time to call him following the drafting of Glennon to reassure him that he would be the starter for Tampa Bay and the team was simply looking at Glennon as a developmental project. Freeman slowly realized that was not the case. The two had a falling out and now Freeman is with the Vikings and not looking back.
The quarterback will officially be the starter for Minnesota in their Monday night matchup against the New York Giants. In his brief time with the media, Freeman said that everyone in the Vikings organization were "quality human beings" that did things the right way. So, Tampa did not have those types of people?
Freeman appears content with rebuilding his career in Minnesota. If he can get the Vikings a win in Week 7, he could be the starter for weeks to come.