The time has come for the Minnesota Vikings to start thinking about the future. Their quarterback situation is not going to improve for the remainder of the season and while running back Adrian Peterson continues to keep the team alive in games, the Vikings will have to take a hard look at whole will be under center in future seasons. As Ponder once again left with an injury during the team's Thursday night game, the 2014 NFL Draft becomes a new focus.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Ponder will likely remain the starting quarterback going forward in the season. The quarterback did leave Thursday's win over the Redskins with a dislocated shoulder, he will likely return for Week 11. Ponder left after trying to stretch out for what would be a 15-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. He now has 10 days to get healthy for Seattle, something he expects to not be an issue.
"My expectations are, I'm going to be back next week," Ponder said, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We've got a great athletic training staff. They're going to do me right. I'm going to do everything I can to be back next Sunday."
Ponder was not terrible in the game prior to the injury, but he certainly was not good. He threw an early interception on a pass intended for Greg Jennings, but hit his next 16 of 20 passes. Matt Cassel came in as his replacement while Josh Freeman remained inactive. Leslie Frazier continues to compliment the quarterback even though it is clear Minnesota is not committed to Ponder.
"I think Christian's really growing," Frazier said. "He's more confident. He's showing more command. He's growing as a leader. Just the fact that he never got shaken, even after that interception. I'm sure he'll tell you, that was not the right decision to throw that football where he threw it. But that did not cause him to go in the tank and have self-doubt.
Despite the kind words, Rapoport is claiming the Vikings are starting to already consider quarterbacks in next year's draft. The 2014 class is stacked with quarterback potential filled with both read-option players and "game managers." One source told Rapoport that he would be shocked if Minnesota did not draft a quarterback in the first round to potentially be the upcoming face of the franchise outside of Adrian Peterson.
Who are the best options? Obviously, Johnny Manziel is going to be a top prospect as the Texas A&M has moved up as the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. Some analysts knock Manziel's lack of size, but he would certainly be an exciting option that would get the fans excited. Another option would be AJ McCarron is the team opted to take another player in the first round. The Alabama quarterback has won back-to-back national championships, but has yet to be seen as anything more than a game manager.
The Vikings will have some decisions to make. Ponder is looking less and less likely as the future of Minnesota, no matter how many games the team wins during the remainder of the year.