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According to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, the owners and the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed off on the move to bench quarterback Josh Freeman in favor of third-round rookie Mike Glennon.
Bucs decision to bench QB Josh Freeman comes after meeting involving coach, GM and owners
— Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) September 25, 2013
Bucs benching Freeman now so that Mike Glennon has a chance to learn from first-game mistakes during bye week
— Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) September 25, 2013
It shouldn't come as a surprise that this decision was made at the highest level. It's a move that affects the franchise beyond just this year: it closes the door on Josh Freeman as a starter at any point in the future. It also points to the desperation everyone feels after going 0-3 despite some major investments over the past two years.
Mark Dominik's job is likely on the line if the Buccaneers can't salvage a winning season. The general manager has been Freeman's biggest supporter and drafting him was the first big move the Bucs made under his management.
The last time the Buccaneers made a change at quarterback, they benched Josh Johnson to start Josh Freeman -- after a bye week. This time, they're doing it the week before the bye.