Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
The Buccaneers have hinted all along they want to bring Josh Freeman along slowly. But the chances of the rookie quarterback getting on the fast track might have just improved.
ESPN.com's John Clayton reports that Freeman has agreed to a five-year contract worth $26 million (that could balloon to $36 million). That means Freeman will be on the field when the Bucs have their first camp practice Saturday morning.
That's hugely significant because it will give Freeman a chance to build on the momentum he had going at the end of June workouts. Freeman had come on so strong in those workouts that the Bucs were starting to get the idea he could at least compete with Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich for the starting job.
McCown and Leftwich still probably remain the options the Bucs would like to choose from to open the season. But an entire training camp could give Freeman time to fully grasp the offense and perhaps show he's ready to firmly grasp the team earlier than the Bucs ever expected.
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Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.