As previously mentioned, Jay Glazer of FOX strongly linked quarterback Josh Freeman to the Raiders. Glazer linked Freeman even more strongly to the Vikings.
Per Glazer, Freeman has spoken with coach Leslie Frazier and G.M. Rick Spielman. Glazer calls Minnesota the “most desirable option” for Freeman.
The Vikings likely wouldn’t bring Freeman in without a plan to use him. Currently, Minnesota is on a bye. Starter Christian Ponder missed the Week Four win over the Steelers with a rib injury, and veteran Matt Cassel drew praise from teammates in pulling off the win.
We’ve heard for a while that Freeman’s first choice would be Minnesota, given the presence of running back Adrian Peterson, strong to quite strong weapons at receiver and tight end, and a defense that still has some punch.
From Minnesota’s perspective, there are two good reasons to be interested in Freeman: October 25, 2012 and September 18, 2011.
Last year, Freeman engineered a 36-17 win over the Vikings in Minnesota. The prior year, Freeman helped dig the Bucs out of a 17-0 halftime hole to upend the Vikings in the Metrodome, 24-20.
Freeman hasn’t played quite as well in plenty of other games, including the final 10 in Tampa. But with Ponder continuing to struggle and Cassel being good but not great, it could make sense for the Vikings to give the ball to a guy who already is 2-0 in the place where the team plays its home games.