The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should re-sign quarterback Josh Freeman, and they should re-sign him now, according to a column by Tom Jones published in the Tampa Bay Times.

Jones argues that Freeman, who is set to become a free agent after next season, has done enough for the organization to warrant being re-signed. The 24-year-old signal caller has led the Buccaneers to a 6-6 record this season while throwing for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Freeman's 23 touchdowns are more than Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub and his eight interceptions are less than Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.

He's a "franchise quarterback," according to Jones, who wrote:

Sign him. There's no reason to wait. We've seen enough.

Josh Freeman is the man. Today. Tomorrow. Next Sunday. Next season. For years to come.

Freeman is the franchise quarterback the Bucs have been looking for since ... well, forever.

For his career, Freeman has completed 59 percent of his passes for 11,901 yards, 74 touchdowns and 54 interceptions. He's also missed just one game due to injury since being named Tampa Bay's starter 53 games ago.