Buffalo Bills pushing to sign Josh Freeman

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (through the twitter of ESPN’s Adam Schefter), the Buffalo Bills are “intensifying efforts Sunday night to sign former Bucs QB Josh Freeman.”

The Bills selected former Florida State Seminoles quarterback E.J. Manuel in the first round of this year’s draft and he started the first five games, but sprained his ACL in a 37-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns Thursday night. On the season, Manuel is 85-of-150 for 985 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

Mortensen reports the Oakland Raiders, who have been without starter Terrelle Pryor because of a concussion and recently demoted Matt Flynn to the third team, are interested in signing Freeman. The Minnesota Vikings, who lost starting quarterback Christian Ponder to a rib injury, are also showing interest and have been considered by many to be the favorite to sign Freeman.

Freeman was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week after his relationship with head coach Greg Schiano was damaged beyond repair.

Freeman, who is in his fifth season, was a first round pick by the Buccaneers back in 2009 (17th overall). Freeman threw 27 touchdowns in 2012, but had a horrendous start to the 2013 season. He’s completed 43 of 94 passes for 571 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The Buccaneers are currently 0-4.