On the heels of Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano told reporters he never considered sitting quarterback Josh Freeman. Now he's changed his mind.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Freeman has been benched in favor of rookie Mike Glennon, according to a source informed of the move. Glennon will start Sunday when the Bucs host the Arizona Cardinals, Schiano announced at a Wednesday news conference.
"Mike's our starting quarterback from this point forward," Schiano said. "We're moving forward and Mike's our quarterback. That's the plan, and we're going, and that's how we're going."
Rapoport reported on NFL Network's "NFL AM" that the Bucs wanted to make the move to Glennon now, with the bye next week, so the rookie could have two full weeks to review corrections after making his first start.
It was only a matter of time before this trigger was pulled. Freeman has been the Bucs' starter since midway through his rookie season in 2009, but his 24-35 record has been marked by inconsistent play.
Off the field, Freeman -- in the final year of his contract -- made headlines earlier this month for missing the team photo because he overslept. Days later, his teammates didn't select him as a team captain for the first time since his rookie campaign.
Schiano half-heartedly touted Freeman as his starter all offseason, telling NFL Network in July, "I believe in competition, and Mike Glennon is going to be a tremendous quarterback in his time. But we have a quarterback, it's Josh Freeman."
The Bucs used a third-round pick in April's draft to grab Glennon, a strong-armed passer out of North Carolina State who was seen warming up during the loss to New England. Freeman entered this season on shaky soil under a coaching staff that inherited him. As we suggested on Sunday night's "Around The League Podcast," that usually means a switch is coming.
After long being touted as the future in Tampa, Freeman's days with the Bucs likely are over.
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