when freeman learned about it? I see freeman as being ok with this whole thing. Have no clue if this is true. But given the scenario freeman took over and some of the things that happened during the season I think he might have been just fine seeing it happen. He knows he wants a solid o and d line and will make sure the next OC has a strong run game in his arsenal.
I could be dead wrong. He may have first heard about it just before Tommy got on that plane but I would bet he knew earlier and didn’t discourage it.