Josh Freeman loses starting job with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has been benched by head coach Greg Schiano.

Rookie Mike Glennon will be handed the chance to lead the Buccaneers after Freeman completed less than half his intended passes during the team's first three matches.

Schiano told ESPN: "Mike's our starting quarterback from this point forward. We're moving forward and Mike's our quarterback. That's the plan, and that's how we're going.

"We've lost eight of nine games and we haven't played particularly well on offense in the last nine games. Although it's not completely the quarterback's fault, that position touches the ball every play."

Freeman may even be traded by the Buccaneers before the league deadline in five weeks' time, with a team source adding: "This league is about finding a franchise quarterback, and with Josh's roller-coaster career, we don't feel he's that guy."

Tampa Bay take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.