Buccaneers could deactivate Josh Freeman against Cardinals

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering deactivating Josh Freeman for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The Bucs have benched the former starting quarterback for Mike Glennon, but Freeman expressed in an interview with ESPN that he was now the second-string quarterback.

If Freeman is inactive on Sunday, Dan Orlovsky would be the backup quarterback. And suddenly the fact that Orlovsky is still on the roster makes sense.

The Buccaneers and Freeman are apparently heading for a quick divorce. Freeman told ESPN that a trade was likely the best thing for both parties, while the Buccaneers are reportedly looking for trade partners. The Minnesota Vikings are the only team reported to be interested so far, and given Freeman's contract finding a trade partner will be difficult.

Still, this situation is starting to turn toxic, and there's no real way in which Freeman is going to be a productive member of the Buccaneers going forward. Right now the Bucs need to find a way to move on, and get something in return for their former starting quarterback.

More from Bucs Nation:

• The Buccaneers probably would not get a compensatory pick for Josh Freeman
• Cardinals vs. Buccaneers: Five questions with Revenge of the Birds
• Daily Bucs Links: Josh Freeman speaks a little
• Josh Freeman reportedly lost Buccaneers locker room, Glennon a better leader
• Josh Freeman Trade: Vikings reportedly interested in Buccaneers quarterback