The Minnesota Vikings are starting to get realistic about where the team is headed and changes are likely before the 2014 season. Sitting at 3-9-1 on the year, team officials are ready to break the team down and start rebuilding from scratch. That will likely not include a trade a running back Adrian Peterson, but it could include the release of both head coach Leslie Frazier and quarterback Christian Ponder.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Frazier and Ponder are not likely coming back for 2014 as their future's in Minnesota are extremely grim. The release of Frazier comes at a slight surprise considering Minnesota is coming off a season where they made it to the wild card game for the playoffs. According to Rapoport, the Vikings want a younger coach that could bring some star power to the team. They will likely target a successful assistant as an option. Lovie Smith is expected to get a call. Also, current Penn State coach, former New England assistant Bill O'Brien is also on the radar for the team.
The release of Ponder is not a shocker. Since getting drafted back in 2011, the quarterback has yet to grasp the role of starter and truly lead the Vikings to any success. His inconsistencies this year have not helped his status. According to Rapoport the Vikings are looking to enter training camp with Matt Cassel as the presumed starter. Ponder and third-string backup Josh Freeman will not return. Instead, Minnesota will look towards the draft for a young quarterback that can learn under Cassel. The 2014 draft class is stocked with quarterback talent that could intrigue Minnesota.
For Week 16, the quarterback situation appears to be set. Cassel will return as the starter after the Vikings upset the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Frazier said there was no question who the starter would be next week after Cassel went 26 of 35 for 382 yards and two scores. Cassel is not thinking about his future, simply focused on the week ahead.
"I don't look in the past to be completely honest with you," Cassel said. "There are decisions that are made and you never know how they are going to work out. At the same time, I'm excited that I was able to go out there and perform today and I continue to look ahead. I never look behind myself and you continue to just look forward."