Arians: Freeman's price tag too high for Buccaneers
Bruce Arians is a straight shooter.
Earlier this offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach said the team would go after Tom Brady, and the Bucs landed the six-time Super Bowl champ.
On Thursday, Arians admitted the team would be interested in free-agent running back Devonta Freeman.
"If his price tag was reasonable," Arians said, according to Jon Ledyard of Pewter Report. "He's asking for a lot of money and we don't have a lot of money."
The Buccaneers could use a veteran running back to complement their explosive passing game. However, Tampa Bay has $4.8 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap. The Seattle Seahawks were reportedly interested in Freeman but ended up signing Carlos Hyde to a one-year, $4-million contract.
Freeman is reportedly willing to sit out the 2020 season if he doesn't receive an offer that reflects his own evaluation of his worth.
The 28-year-old addressed the situation Thursday evening on Twitter.
I read in the media that Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested. A number of teams are interested, but we can’t negotiate through the media, the Buccaneers can reach out to me directly ..
— Devonta Freeman (@devontafreeman) June 5, 2020
As of now, the Bucs' depth chart at running back consists of two-year pro Ronald Jones, rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn, and third-year player Dare Ogunbowale.
HEADLINES
- Cowboys' Lamb: This is among 'the toughest years for me body-wise'
- Rodgers: Jets my 'first option' if I keep playing in 2025
- Cowboys' Jones won't rule out extension for McCarthy
- Week 13 Rankings (Early Edition): Hurts, Jackson set to square off
- NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for