Josh Freeman’s tenure with the Buccaneers could end quickly, but not quietly.
Once considered Tampa Bay’s franchise quarterback, Freeman, who had requested to be traded, is now asking for his outright release so he can collect all of his $6.2 million salary and sign wherever he wants, according to ESPN. The Buccaneers are not immediately considering granting Freeman’s request.
Bucs general manager Mark Dominik has contacted about one-third of the teams in the NFL to gauge interest in acquiring Freeman, and will reach out to all teams by the end of Tuesday, with immediate interest being described as mild.
On Monday, the quarterback was playing defense after league and player sources leaked information that Freeman is in Stage One of the NFL’s drug program. Since Freeman is not one strike away from a suspension, teams that may be interested in acquiring the quarterback were not required to know Freeman’s status.
Freeman released a statement later in the day, claiming he has a prescription for Adderall to treat ADHD, but he accidentally took Ritalin, which caused the positive test. The 25-year-old said he entered the NFL’s substance-abuse program voluntarily to prove the failed test was a one-time mistake.
“Let me be very clear. I have NEVER tested positive for any illegal drugs or related substances,” Freeman wrote. “Further, I have agreed to take, and have PASSED 46 NFL-regulated drug tests over the last year-and-a-half.
“I agreed to allow such testing to be done at my workplace (team facility) because I spend all of my time there and I have nothing whatsoever to hide or be embarrassed about,”
Freeman started the first three games of the season for the Bucs — completing 45.7 percent of his passes — but was inactive on Sunday and replaced by rookie Mike Glennon.
Freeman’s rift with the organization began to grow after his absence from the official team photo this season, followed by him reportedly missing multiple team meetings.
It appears Freeman may believe individuals within the organization are attempting to smear his name even further with the release of his status in the drug program.
“Unfortunately, it appears that some people who may have noticed the testing at my workplace have made hurtful and incorrect assumptions and chosen to disseminate inaccurate and very disturbing information,” Freeman said. “It is a shame that when times have gotten tough, people have chosen to attack the character of others, rather than supporting each other.”