Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano’s comments about quarterback Josh Freeman just after the end of the season led some to wonder if the team considered Freeman to be the long-term answer at the position.
Schiano clarified his comments about wanting competition at quarterback during a press conference at the combine, but there was still a need to meet with Freeman’s representatives to clear the air about just how the team felt about Freeman. That happened recently and it left Freeman’s camp feeling good about where things stand in Tampa.
“It was really positive,” agent Erik Burkhardt said, via the Tampa Tribune. “They said they definitely believe in Josh, that he is their guy, that they want to reach their goals with him and that they know he is capable of doing the job and are committed to him.”
Freeman is entering the final year of his contract, but Burkhardt wouldn’t say whether or not there were any discussions about a contract extension underway at this point. If there are negotiations on the docket, they are ones that Freeman and company hope keep him in Tampa for the long term.
“He’s about to hit the prime of his career now and do some really special things and we just wanted the Bucs to know that Josh really wants to be there and be the franchise guy he has been and will continue to be,” Burkhardt said.
If Freeman does start doing some special things on the field, there seems little doubt that the Buccaneers will be motivated to keep him under center for as long as possible. It may take seeing that play out on the field and not in the words of his agent for those contract negotiations to catch fire.