Josh

Freeman

Freeman has been a mainstay at team headquarters since the end of the season, working out and reviewing tape with OC Greg Olson. “It shows guys that I’m serious,” Freeman said. “This year it’s my show. It’s my team and I want to win. I want to get things done the right way.” Raiders fans should feel free to cry in their mammoth petite JaMarcus Russell jerseys.

Olson was Freeman’s offensive coordinator in Tampa from 2009-2011. “I’ve always been a fan of Josh as a person and a player,” Olson said. “I’ve always had the utmost respect for him. I think he’s a great player.” Terrelle Pryor looks to be an intriguing long-term option for the Raiders, but they could use help behind him. UDFA Matt McGloin supplanted Matt Flynn as Pryor’s backup this week. Speaking on the Raiders’ potential interest in Freeman, coach Dennis Allen simply replied, “I don’t know.”

Freeman has ties to current Raiders OC Greg Olson and would be an upgrade over UDFA Matt McGloin as Terrelle Pryor’s backup. Profootballtalk adds that Freeman could sign with a new team as soon as this weekend.

Freeman has a connection with Raiders OC Greg Olson; he was the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay when the Bucs drafted Freeman. The Raiders would reportedly start Freeman over Terrelle Pryor if they signed him. The 49ers have also been in contact with Freeman. They’re clearly not comfortable with Colt McCoy as Colin Kaepernick’s backup. Freeman could make a decision by Sunday night.

The Vikings aren’t the only team with “a lot of questions” about Freeman, who hasn’t found a home three days after being cut by the Bucs, and has issues both off the field and on. Tentatively, Oakland and Minnesota are considered the two front-runners to sign Freeman, who should be willing to take a minimum-salary deal or close to it. His $8.6 million Bucs salary was already guaranteed.

Bair notes that the Raiders were “really interested in (Freeman) during the season.” Regardless of how anyone feels about Freeman, this is one of the most logical fits in 2014 free agency. Raiders OC Greg Olson was Freeman’s offensive coordinator and position coach for his first three NFL seasons, and Olson needs a quarterback. Oakland could conceivably sign Freeman and use the No. 5 overall pick on Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, or Johnny Manziel.

Freeman was linked to the Raiders before he signed with Minnesota, so it’s possible they still have interest despite his disastrous 2013. He has experience in OC Greg Olson’s scheme from their time together in Tampa and shouldn’t command much guaranteed money. Gutierrez also believes Oakland could be a landing spot for Mark Sanchez when he’s released by the Jets.

Oakland and Minnesota have been considered the frontrunners for the former Buc, but FOX’s Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning that the Bills were mulling a run. To put it bluntly, Freeman is a must sign for the Bills if they have any designs on competing while E.J. Manuel (sprained LCL) is sidelined. Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel is a disaster waiting to happen. Freeman should likely find a new home sometime in the next 24 hours.

The Raiders would prefer to sign Matt Schaub if he’s released, but Freeman, free agent Mike Vick, and Mark Sanchez are also on their list. Freeman played under OC Greg Olson for three seasons in Tampa and could be a fit based on his knowledge of the system. 26-year-old Freeman has yet to draw any other interest on the open market.

Schefter is never wrong, but we’ll wait for confirmation on the deals. Both will span five years in length. Heyward-Bey’s contract is particularly important because it could get the ball rolling for the rest of the top half of round one.