The Dolphins signed quarterback Ryan Tannehill to an extension this offseason, leaving him set as the team’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future a few years after they made him a first-round draft pick.
It once looked like Josh Freeman would get the same kind of contract with one of Florida’s other NFL teams. Freeman was a first-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2009 and gave a strong performance as the team’s full-time starter during the 2010 season, which made it look like he’d be the man in Tampa for years to come. Things unraveled for Freeman after Greg Schiano arrived as head coach, however, and he was released in 2013 before playing out his rookie deal.
Freeman made brief stops with the Vikings and Giants, but was out of the game during the 2014 season. He’s returned to the NFL with the Dolphins, where he’s battling McLeod Bethel-Thompson to be the third quarterback behind Tannehill and Matt Moore. It’s an effort that Freeman says he’s approaching with humility.
“My goal is to come here and become the best player I can,” Freeman said, via the Dolphins website. “Talking with the coaches, they are just all about everyone trying to get better at football, develop as a football player. That’s my goal. As far as spots on the depth chart, that’s up to the coaches. Obviously, Ryan has had a lot of success. Matt has had a successful career. I’m coming into it with a very humble mentality, a beginner’s mentality. [Offensive coordinator Bill] Lazor’s offense is one that I’m not really that experienced in. At the same time, quarterback is what I’ve always done and I have a lot of confidence in myself as a quarterback. At the same time, you come into it with a beginner’s mentality and just work [your] butt off.”
In a league that’s always looking for quarterbacks, it’s not unthinkable that Freeman, who turned 27 this year, could work his way back into the picture for teams with needs at the position. The Dolphins don’t qualify, but a strong showing in camp and the preseason would certainly help Freeman’s bid to restart his stalled career.