The only thing certain for the Minnesota Vikings offense is that Matt Cassel will be under center Week 1. Even that fact does not feel like a guarantee despite the endorsement from new head coach Mike Zimmer. Outside of Cassel, the Vikings' quarterback situation is in a state of flux. The team continues to look at rookie options to develop, but so far that is not yielding the best results and now the team is left still figuring out the future of Christian Ponder.
Ponder will enter 2014 as the assumed backup quarterback. The former first-round pick has yet to look like a real NFL starter, forcing the Vikings to make other arrangements. Ponder is not the short-term nor long-term future of Minnesota, so what does the team do with him?
The Vikings have until May 3 to determine if they will be picking up the fifth-year option on Ponder's contract. Picking him up for 2015 is not a huge financial risk. His salary only becomes guaranteed if he suffers an injury that lingers into the season. If Ponder remains healthy in 2014, the Vikings can cut him with no repercussions. Current NFL analyst for National Football Post Joel Corry reports that Minnesota appears likely to pick up the option simply because of the low risk factor.
If he continues to [play below expectations], all you do is after the Super Bowl and before the league year begins, just release him and you're not on the hook for anything, assuming he is healthy," said Corry. "It's low risk from their standpoint. Some teams may not want to take the risk [in that situation], but I don't think you're exposing yourself that much if you exercise the option."
There is also the option of a trade. Minnesota has been shopping the quarterback throughout the offseason, but so far no deals have come about considering many teams believe the Vikings are more poised to release Ponder before training camp, making him a cheaper pickup. However, the Vikings might be leaning towards retaining Ponder given their lack of enthusiasm around the current draft class of quarterbacks.
General manager Rick Spielman has been vocal about his uncertainties with the projected top quarterbacks this year. He told reporters there is no Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck this year, making the evaluation process very tough. If anything, Minnesota is looking closer at the late-round options like Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron.
Spielman is giving off the impression that no matter what, Cassel is under center Week 1 since no rookie appears ready to start immediately. After that, maintaining Ponder as the No. 2 backup makes sense while the rookie continues to develop under the two players.
