The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been connected to several free agent running backs this offseason, and there's still a two-time Pro Bowler in Devonta Freeman sitting on the market as training camp draws closer. The only problem, according to Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, is that Freeman wants too much money.
Asked Thursday during a conference call whether the Bucs are interested in the former Atlanta Falcons starter, Arians didn't mince his words.
"If his price tag was reasonable," Arians said, as Pewter Report's Jon Ledyard noted. "He's asking for a lot of money, and we don't have a lot of money."
Freeman, of course, has made several headlines in recent weeks for his apparent contract desires. Released by the Falcons during the first wave of free agency, the 28-year-old back reportedly turned down a one-year, $4 million offer from the Seattle Seahawks and unofficially threatened to sit out all of 2020 if he doesn't get the salary he wants. Though Freeman has publicly slammed separate reports regarding his willingness to retire from football altogether, there's been little movement on his market as of late, with the Philadelphia Eagles -- another reported suitor -- believed to be offering even less than Seattle.
The Buccaneers, on the other hand, have only about $5 million in 2020 salary cap space remaining. They also just added Vanderbilt's Ke'Shawn Vaughn, a third-round pick this April, to a backfield already featuring former second-rounder Ronald Jones. In the event Freeman were, in fact, to lower his apparent asking price, he'd likely fit in as a rotational back in Arians' offense, having already spent six seasons playing in the NFC South.
