Josh Freeman released by New York Giants

So much for that hot debate over whether or not Josh Freeman would win the backup quarterback job with the New York Giants. The Giants today released Freeman and were awarded offensive lineman Rogers Gaines off waivers from the Chicago Bears.

Freeman received very few reps during the OTA media were allowed to watch on Thursday. His surprising release leaves the Giants with the same three quarterbacks they had on the roster a season ago -- Eli Manning, Curtis Painter and Ryan Nassib. This has to be good news for Nassib, who was inactive for all 16 games last season after being drafted in the fourth round.

Freeman, a 2009 first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed with the Giants this offseason in hopes of reviving his career after a miserable season with the Bucs and Minnesota Vikings. If that is going to happen now, the 26-year-old will have to do it elsewhere.

Gaines is a 6-foot-6, 334-pound lineman who spent last season on the Chicago Bears practice squad. He was waived by the Bears on Thursday.

The Giants need offensive line depth as Will Beatty and John Jerry are expected to be out until training camp, and Stephen Goodin was waived/injured on Thursday.

Not make light of Freeman's downfall as an NFL player, but this tweet is too funny not to pass along.

Josh Freeman trajectory update. pic.twitter.com/iFd2n1Sedw

— Kevin Clark (@KevinClarkWSJ) May 30, 2014