The Minnesota Vikings head into 2014 with big questions at quarterback, as Christian Ponder is the only signed player at the position after Matt Cassel voided his deal and now a number of options are on the table for the Vikes, as Matt Schaub, Ryan Mallett and Kirk Cousins are trade options, while Mark Sanchez, Tajh Boyd and Derek Carr could be other options at QB.
Last season Cassel ended up playing much more than expected after signing to be the backup for Ponder, as he started six games and played in nine, including all five of the Vikings wins in 2013. Cassel voided the 2014 option in his contract to seek a starting job next season and while the Vikings could bring him back, it's more likely he will move on to another team. Cassel passed for nearly 2,000 yards last season with 11 touchdowns and he started three of the games the Vikings won and ended up playing in the other two wins when Ponder was injured.
The Vikings selected Ponder with a top 12 pick and had high expectations for his improvement last season, but he did not perform well and also dealt with injuries and that forced Cassel into the starting lineup. According to Pro Football Talk, Kirk Cousins is available for teams in a trade and that could be an option for the Vikings to consider, as could a move for Ryan Mallett with the Patriots. Cousins reportedly could be had for a second round pick and the Vikings could also offer Ponder, while the Pats could also look to trade their young backup with him coming into the final year of his deal.
Cassel will be 32 years old and with the new regime of Mike Zimmer at head coach and Norv Turner at offensive coordinator, there is no lock on Ponder, meaning the team could try and draft and develop a new QB like Boyd or someone later in the draft such as Aaron Murray or Derek Carr. Matt Schaub has been mentioned as a potential option as well, as he could end up getting cut this season or traded by the Houston Texans after the way he played last year. The team has the number one pick in the draft and a new head coach with Bill O'Brien and that could spark some big changes.
Mallett is another inriguing option, as it could be time for the Patriots to trade him and ESPN.com reporter Ben Goessling wrote that the Vikings could be interested, as they could get a first round type talent in Mallett for less than that pick. He could be a fit for Turner and it also would enable the team to stay with their top 10 pick to take an impact player in the draft after having three last season.
The Vikings are projected to have the fourth most cap space in the league heading into the 2014 offseason and that is according to ESPN.com and their projections and that means the team has some flexibility to make moves. The team has 15 players set to be free agents, but they will have some areas where they can focus on, including possibly letting Jared Allen and his high salary go. The Vikings have some major questions to figure out and Christian Ponder likely will be in the middle of it all.
