Alouettes sign former NFL QB Freeman to 2-year deal
Two-year deal confirmed late Friday for pivot who passed for 13,873 yards in U.S.
The critics will say Josh Freeman was an NFL failure who hasn’t thrown a pass in earnest for two years. But the Alouettes have risked little by signing the former first-round draft choice and might turn out looking like geniuses should he regain his form.
At the very least, Freeman will provide the Als with some experience and another live arm when the team reports for training camp in May. Now the question becomes: how will Freeman’s signing — rumoured to be close throughout the day on Friday before being confirmed on Twitter by RDS’s Didier Orméjuste (@DidierRDS) — affect others?
At first glance, it would appear to put the future of Darian Durant, the Als’ starter last season, in jeopardy.
Durant is owed a bonus of $150,000 on Monday, a payment that most certainly won’t be made.
Instead, general manager Kavis Reed will either tell Durant he must restructure the remaining two years of his contract, or simply release him.
As of Friday night, there were no new developments.
People around the CFL continue saying the Als have lost none of their interest in Johnny Manziel, the former Cleveland Browns quarterback on Hamilton’s negotiation list. The Als would have to put together a significant offer to trade for Manziel’s rights, likely starting with the first overall draft selection in this May’s Canadian college draft.
Manziel seems unlikely to sign with the Tiger-Cats, at least immediately.
Not only does he have a brief history at Texas A&M with new Montreal head coach Mike Sherman, but Als owner Robert Wetenhall is believed to covet Manziel, knowing his presence would renew waning interest in the team and sell tickets at Molson Stadium.
Freeman, selected in the firstround (17th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, already has a brief history with the Als.
He was on their negotiation list and worked out for the team June 13, at training camp, then sat in the stands for the afternoon practice at Bishop’s University.
“Josh had a very good workout. He showed tremendous arm strength, an excellent touch on the deep balls and excellent footwork,” Reed said at that time.
Freeman, who turns 30 on Saturday, was spotted at the Als’ final exhibition game two days later.
But when the sides failed to negotiate a contract, Montreal removed him from its neg list. He was added by Ottawa on June 17.
The Redblacks subsequently released their rights to him. The Als added him back this week.
Reed couldn’t be reached for comment Friday, but earlier in the week intimated he would make a second attempt to convince Freeman to come north, believing he’s entering the prime of his career.
“That’s the reason for looking at Josh Freeman. He’s at that sweet spot for quarterbacks when they potentially figure it out,” Reed said. “He’s a person that has something to prove.”
Larikus Scott, a Washington, D.C., NFL certified agent who advised Freeman on the two-year deal he agreed to with Montreal, said the timing ’s right for his client to resurrect his career in Canada.
“There’s a new coach, a new situation. Last year, the job really wasn’t open and it was a little late in the process,” Scott told the Montreal Gazette. “This time, there’s a new coach and an open job. Right?
“As he was getting more and more interest in the CFL I told him, you’re young. You can go to Canada and play. You can stay there forever or you can play for two years. If some NFL team calls, you’re 31 at the end of it. For quarterbacks, that’s the prime. We’re looking for the best situation for Josh. We feel like this is a good idea. He needs a place to prove himself. This offers the best opportunity.”
Freeman, 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, spent five seasons with the Bucs before playing one game each with Minnesota and Indianapolis. His last NFL start came in January 2016 for the Colts. In 62 career NFL games, he passed for 13,873 yards and 81 touchdowns. He was intercepted 68 times. He also has 946 career rushing yards.
Freeman also was on Calgary’s neg list, attending mini-camp with the Stampeders last spring. But he wasn’t offered a contract.