Freeman, a former first-round draft pick, played last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants signed quarterback Josh Freeman on Monday.
Freeman, a former first-round draft pick, played last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings.
Freeman and the Giants previously agreed to a one-year deal.
“I’m definitely excited about being a part of this great organization,” Freeman said. “Obviously, it’s a chance to go play quality football, learn from some great coaches, learn from a great quarterback in Eli (Manning) and just be a part of a great organization. The atmosphere is great here, great facilities. Everyone I’ve met has been awesome. Yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Freeman’s quarterbacks coach with the Vikings was Craig Johnson, who is now the Giants’ running backs coach.
“Craig is a guy I’ve gotten to know really well,” Freeman said. “He’s a great coach and a mentor, a friend. It’s pretty cool having him here as well.”
Freeman gives the Giants four quarterbacks, joining Manning, Curtis Painter and Ryan Nassib as the team started offseason workouts Monday.
Freeman, 26, is competing for what will likely be one backup spot. Manning had an arthroscopic procedure on a sprained ankle two weeks ago and is not expected to run for at least another month.
“Today, having the opportunity to sit in meetings and be around the guys in the room, from Eli to Curtis, Ryan, it’s a great group of guys,” Freeman said. “I’m excited and am looking forward to learning about everybody and getting to know the team.”
After his release from the Buccaneers, Freeman joined the Vikings and started one game Oct. 21 against the Giants. He completed 20 of 53 passes for 190 yards with an interception in a 23-7 Giants win.
“When you’re in the thick of things you want to be a competitor, you want to play,” he said. “But at the same time you want to have a chance to learn the system and things of that nature. As a competitor, it’s just another experience to learn from. I took what I could from it and am moving forward.”
Freeman started the first three games of the season for Tampa Bay — all losses — before his Oct. 3 release. For the season, he completed 63 of 147 passes for 761 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
“I think, as a competitor, I don’t really see myself in that situation,” he said. “It’s definitely a change of pace for me and frustrating on the field. I don’t really see that happening again as long as I’m playing. I expect to go out and when I play, play well. Last year was rough all around, but I’m happy to get a new start here and have an opportunity to be there for the Giants and see where it goes.”
In five NFL seasons, Freeman has thrown for 13,724 yards with 80 touchdowns and 67 interceptions for a passer rating of 79.8.
