Josh Freeman: Vikings Agree With Free Agent QB, Beginning Controversy

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Things just got real interesting for the Minnesota Vikings. NBC Sports has reported that recently-released quarterback Josh Freeman has agreed to terms with the purple and gold a few days after he was let go from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The deal is reportedly worth $3 million.

After the Vikings’ week four victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Leslie Frazier called Christian Ponder “our quarterback,” giving everyone the notion that he was not reading too much into Matt Cassel’s performance in the win and that Ponder would jump right back in as the starter once healthy.

Now that Freeman is on board, Frazier has quite the controversy brewing. As most of you know, Ponder isn’t exactly the most popular guy among Vikings fans and that animosity is growing like wildfire especially due to Cassel’s showing in week four.

Freeman brings immediate starting experience and, like Ponder, mobility. Although, Freeman may be even more mobile than Ponder. But how about his accuracy? Well, this year Freeman’s completion percentage with the Bucs was a measly 45.7 percent — the lowest of his career.

In 2010, Freeman had really the only notable year in his career when he was voted to the Pro Bowl after finishing the year with a rating of 95.9, tossing 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

What will the Vikings decide to do now that they are through their bye week, heading into a game this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers – a team that Freeman is very familiar with, coming from the NFC South. Whatever Frazier decides to do will surely cause an uproar one way or another. In this scenario, there really doesn’t appear to be an ‘easy’ answer. Good luck, coach.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.