Free agent quarterback Josh Freeman reportedly has talked to Raiders coach Dennis Allen, is intrigued by the possibility of playing right away and is considering Oakland along with Minnesota as a landing spot after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.



According to a Fox Sports report from Jay Glazer, Freeman could make a decision as early as Sunday night. The Raiders host the San Diego Chargers at 8:35 p.m. with Terrelle Pryor returning as the starting quarterback after sitting out a week recovering from the effects of a concussion.

Other teams Glazer names as suitors include Buffalo, which lost quarterback E.J. Manuel to a knee injury, and the 49ers, who are seeking a backup for Colin Kaepernick.

While Glazer does not give direct sources for his information, he was the first to relay the story last week of Pryor sitting out the Washington game in part because he requested a shaded visor because of sensitivity to light.

Allen later confirmed the story. An HBO Real Sports feature on Glazer noted his relationship with Saints coach Sean Payton. Allen worked for Payton in New Orleans, considers him a mentor.

Freeman, a former first round draft pick out of Kansas State (No. 17 overall) ascended to the starting position in 2009 as a rookie when Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson held the same position with Tampa Bay.

He enjoyed his best professional season in 2010, completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 3,451 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Bucs were 10-6 that season.

“I’ve always been a fan of Josh’s as a person an a player,’’ Olson said Thursday shortly after learning of his release from the Bucs. “It was unfortunate, for me, to watch what happened in Tampa Bay over the last couple of years. I’ve always had the utmost respect for him. I think he’s a great player.

“I feel bad for him and the entire situation and how it played out . .. I don’t think there are any winners for anybody in that situation.’’

Freeman had a tumultuous relationship with the franchise after the hiring of Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, who arrived last season. He reportedly received fines for conduct detrimental to the team, including one for an unauthorized interview with ESPN after learning he was benched and another for missing a team picture.

When it was reported Freeman was in Stage 1 in the NFL substance abuse program, he released a statement which confirmed he mistakenly took the banned drug Ritalin instead of Adderall for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and has successfully completed 46 league-mandated drug tests.

The NFLPA is investigating how the confidential information was made public, with Schiano telling reporters he “absolutely not’’ the source of the leak.