Oakland Raiders: Terrelle Pryor’s Job Could Be On The Line Tonight Against The Chargers

Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Terrelle Pryor and the Oakland Raiders will be under the bright lights tonight, taking on the San Diego Chargers. But for Pryor, he may be facing more pressure than playing on national television in primetime: his job could be on line.

That’s right, if the rumors flying around today hold any truth. The Raiders are said to have a strong interest in free agent quarterback Josh Freeman, and according to Michael Silver of the NFL Network, Freeman would be the Raiders’ starter over Pryor if signed. Per Silver’s sources, “there still is some trepidation on both sides, and a face-to-face meeting between Freeman and Raiders brass could take place early this week.”

Freeman, who was cut loose by the Buccaneers earlier this week, has yet to find a new home. Once thought of as the franchise quarterback of the Buccaneers, Freeman was benched in favor of rookie Mike Glennon after an 0-3 start to the season. Tampa Bay then tried to trade him, contacting every team in the NFL, but found no bidders.

Freeman has links to Oakland, as current Raiders’ offensive coordinator Greg Olson held the same gig with the Buccaneers (2008-2011) during Freeman’s best years in Tampa. In 2011, Freeman completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,592 yards and 16 touchdowns. The previous year, Freeman led the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record, their first double-digit win season since 2005.

“You know, I’ve always been a fan of Josh’s,” Olson told ESPN. “I have a lot of respect for him, as a person and a player, and it’s unfortunate to me to watch what happened in Tampa … really over the last couple of years.”

Freeman apparently still holds Olson in high regard.

“Raider Nation is great,” he said in a text to 95.7 The Game. “I’ve worked with Greg Olson and he is a great coordinator.”

Freeman would like to sign with a team where he has a chance to compete for the starting job, which makes the Raiders an ideal scenario. There has been talk that the Raiders are not as high on Pryor as their fans are, and GM Reggie McKenzie is not afraid of creating competition.

Pryor, however, may be able to stop all of this chatter with a strong performance tonight, under the bright lights of the O.co Coliseum.