Former QB says Leslie Frazier didn't want Josh Freeman, was overruled by Rick Spielman

Former Tampa Bay quarterback Shaun King told a Tampa radio station on Thursday that coach Leslie Frazier didn't want Josh Freeman but was overruled by Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.

October 11, 2013 at 7:24PM
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There is certainly a danger, these days, when trying to discern who knows what and why. Motives and sources are unclear, while the search for an audience and page views in an increasingly cluttered landscape is fierce.

That is our preface to this post, a speculative one but one with some potentially interesting information if we can believe Shaun King, the former Tampa Bay QB. He was on a Tampa radio station on Thursday for a weekly segment and had this to say about the Vikings' QB situation, prefacing it by saying he had talked to people in the Vikings organization:

"Leslie Frazier really wasn't in favor of bringing Josh Freeman in. This is [GM] Rick Spielman and the owner who overruled the head coach and said, 'No, we've kind of figured out what Christian Ponder is. We want to see what Josh Freeman can bring the team.'"

Frazier is a pro who undoubtedly will do what is best for the team, but this would be an interesting start to Freeman's tenure, if true.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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