After Josh Freeman struggled late in the season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano left the door open for some competition at the quarterback position, although he does believe Freeman can win Super Bowls.
"Do I think Josh Freeman is going to win Super Bowls? I do," Schiano said in his season-ending press conference. "But the one thing I do believe in is competition at every spot, including the quarterback."
It's likely that Freeman, who is under contract through next season, will give the Buccaneers the best chance to win next season, but the idea of bringing in either a veteran or a rookie to challenge Freeman is very realistic.
34-year-old free agent QB David Garrard is one viable veteran option. Garrard was the leading candidate for the starting job with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, but an injury derailed those plans, and rookie Ryan Tannehill eventually got the job. In 2010, Garrard completed 64.5 percent of his passes, and threw for 2,734 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Dolphins eventually released Garrard due to his injury, but he is now completely healthy and ready to compete for a starting job, according to a source close to Garrard. "David believes he can win any starting job in the NFL," the source said. If Garrard were to challenge Freeman, there's a good chance that he could be handed the starting job.
But would Garrard even be interested in playing for the Buccaneers?
"Every opportunity will be considered," a person close to Garrard said. "Staying in FL (Florida) will be attractive to him."
This is all speculation at this point, but the Buccaneers could be looking to push Freeman, and he could even be in danger of losing his starting job, though that's unlikely. And of course, the Buccaneers could always opt to draft a rookie quarterback.
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