The Indianapolis Colts are giving quarterback Josh Freeman his second chance at a sustainable NFL career. With the Colts deciding not to re-sign backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, Freeman is the most likely candidate to step into the now vacant role. If Freeman has truly left his character issues in the past, the 28-year-old quarterback deserves this opportunity to prove himself in 2016.
Freeman was the first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2009 NFL Draft. In his career, Freeman has only completed 57.6 percent of his passes, but he has accumulated 13,873 passing yards, 81 passing touchdowns and 68 interceptions.
Unfortunately, Freeman has not had much luck in the NFL lately. He has not participated in a full NFL season since 2012. Since the start of the 2013 season, he has only played in five games and was not even on a roster for the entire 2014 regular season. Despite his recent struggles, he earned this opportunity with the Colts by showing enough flashes in their final game of the 2015 season.
In the Colts’ Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Freeman threw for 149 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. While these numbers do not jump off the page, it is good to note the circumstances he performed under. He signed with the Colts three days prior to the actual game, and had even less time to form any relationship with his receivers. He still put together a good performance and contributed to the Colts’ eventual win.
The Colts are also gambling on his physical traits. Freeman has a 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame, which is enormous for a quarterback. When he was coming out of college in 2009, everyone raved about his arm strength. Seven years later, his arm strength is still extraordinary, but his accuracy needs work. Nonetheless, Freeman’s physical gifts are rare, and the Colts are willing to try to turn him into a serviceable quarterback.
Hasselbeck proved that being Andrew Luck’s backup is no simple task. However, Freeman seems ready to take on the challenge. Freeman will have some competition in training camp because Ryan Lindley is still on the roster. Ultimately though, the backup is Freeman’s job to lose.
