Buccaneers won't extend Josh Freeman's contract

Jan 07, 2013

The Bucs will not discuss extending Josh Freeman's contract in the off-season. That means his rookie deal will expire after 2013. If he plays great, the team will use its franchise tag on Freeman and try to sign him to a long-term deal. The exclusive-rights franchise tender for a quarterback would likely be more than $17 million for one year.

In many ways, it's the Bucs' only play. They don't want a situation like the Jets have with QB Mark Sanchez; they'd like to cut ties but have guaranteed him $8.25 million next season.

But the Bucs are headed down a slippery slope you can spend decades on — change the coach, change the quarterback.

Coach Greg Schiano inherited Freeman, so he has no loyalty to the enigmatic quarterback. He likes a lot of things about Freeman's game — he did set franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns — but plans to add a quarterback, either in the draft or free agency, to compete with Freeman next season.

Fantasy Impact:

Through Week 14, Freeman was averaging 1.9 touchdowns and just 0.6 interceptions, but he finished the season on a very sour note, throwing nine picks and only two TDs in his final three games. It's not like the closing schedule (NO, STL, ATL) was super difficult, either. It looks like that stretch may have cost Freeman an extension, at least for now.

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Chargers set to open window for RB J.K. Dobbins (knee)

Daniel Popper on X

0 minutes ago

Chargers will be opening J.K. Dobbins' 21-day window today, Jim Harbaugh tells reporters.

Related players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has been on IR for the past four games with a knee injury. He's not a lock to play this week and he's not a lock for a safe workload even if he does play. The Chargers travel to New England in Week 17, so the matchup isn't a bad one. It's an early window game on Sunday, so owners should have plenty of notice. We'll also keep an eye on the practice reports this week.

Dolphins unsure of WR Jaylen Waddle's (knee) status for Week 17

Barry Jackson on X

5 minutes ago

McDaniel non-committal on whether Jaylen Waddle (knee) will practice this week: "I'm expecting to get everything from Waddle that he can do... I've [talked to] the trainer to make sure we protect him from himself. We will see how the week progresses. I don't know exactly what it will look like."

Fantasy Impact:

Waddle owners should probably not count on Waddle for Week 17, or at the very least have a backup plan. Waddle and the Dolphins play the Browns in the later window on Sunday so it could further complicate things for owners who were hoping to play him.

Texans WR Tank Dell tore ACL, dislocated knee

DJ Bien-Aime on X

9 minutes ago

DeMeco Ryans says WR Tank Dell tore his ACL along with dislocating his knee.

Fantasy Impact:

No surprises here as it was a terrible injury to watch during the game. While he's obviously out for the season, the bigger question is what will his status be for 2025. It's a huge question mark at this point given the seriousness of the injury. Even if Dell is able to play next season, he may take a while to get back to 100%.