The Minnesota Vikings were off with a bye week on Sunday, but stayed busy with the signing of quarterback Josh Freeman to a one-year, $3 million contract, according to NFL.com.
Josh Freeman, Vikings agree to 1-year, $3 million contract
Minnesota is taking its chances on the former Kansas State quarterback
Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
Freeman was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier in the week after having a falling out with head coach Greg Schiano. After starting the first three games of the season and completing less than 50 percent of his passes, Freeman was benched in favor of rookie Mike Glennon.
Then, in an ugly turn of events, information about Freeman being in the league’s drug program was leaked out by an unknown source. Schiano has strongly denied any involvement in the leak of confidential information.
With the Vikings, it is obvious Freeman will have first crack at being the starter. Nobody gets paid $3 million for one season to sit on the bench. With Christian Ponder still on the mend from broken ribs and Matt Cassel serving as the competition, it appears Freeman will have the chance to revive his career.
Christopher Gates of the Daily Norseman believes Freeman will be enjoying some playing time for the Vikings:
Ponder is now the third-highest paid quarterback on the Minnesota depth chart behind Matt Cassel ($3.7 million) and Freeman. This means that the Vikings' commitment to him as the unquestioned starter is undoubtedly over. As ardent a supporter of Christian Ponder as I've been over his tenure in Minnesota, this really doesn't break my heart or anything like that. The reason for that is that, for the first time since the Vikings drafted Ponder, they've added something unique to the team ... a quarterback that's actually (potentially) better than Christian Ponder.
Minnesota's next game is Sunday against the Carolina Panthers at home.
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