Buccaneers Rumors: Team offered contract to Devonta Freeman

While it seemed as though the Buccaneers were set with their running backs after the draft, reports are surfacing that the Bucs offered Devonta Freeman.

After drafting Ke’Shawn Vaughn and coming out in support of Ronald Jones, the Buccaneers are seemingly not done putting the finishing touches on their running back room with rumors starting up that Devonta Freeman has received a contract offer from Tampa Bay.

This news was reported by Eagles reporter Jeff McLane earlier today on his Twitter account, as seen below.

If true, this report comes as a shock. The Buccaneers have already invested so much capital in their run game that using up the remainder of their cap space on another running back seems questionable.

Tampa Bay already has a solid early-down back in Ronald Jones, a third-down option in Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a change of pace back in Raymond Calais, and former special teams captain Dare Ogunbowale if they need a fourth choice.

The addition of Freeman to this group would only muddy the waters even further on what the Bucs actually see in the future of their young backs. Perhaps Vaughn was drafted to replace Jones and Freeman will play the role that analysts pegged Vaughn for, but the front office has given Jones a lot of praise already this offseason to move on so quickly.

While the move may be surprising, Freeman would flourish in that third-down role for Tom Brady. As a reliable pass-catcher and a competent runner, Freeman could effectively threaten multiple points of attack in the Buccaneer offense.

Averaging at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage for four of the last five years (Freeman missed almost all of the 2018 season,) Tampa Bay’s lethal offense would become even more deadly with the addition of another veteran with a proven track record.

The best guess is that this deal will likely not go through. Freeman has made it clear that he has high expectations for his next contract, and having to split reps with numerous other young players may not be the role that he wants to play.

If Freeman does accept the deal on the off chance, fans should prepare for a fascinating battle in training camp and the preseason between the Buccaneer running backs to carve out their roles for the 2020 season.