The Minnesota Vikings are facing a couple years outdoors and if the team rebuilds under Mike Zimmer, a trade with Christian Ponder or Adrian Peterson could be in the cards for the future and this comes as rookie Teddy Bridgewater is getting ready to compete with Matt Cassel in training camp for the starting job in 2014.
The Vikings are moving to a new stadium in two years and for now they will play at TCF Bank Stadium and the uncertainty at the QB position and how good the team will be has hung over the franchise over the past couple years. Adrian Peterson trade rumors came up last season when the team was struggling and they have popped up again following the draft from Mike Freeman, who wrote that a split between the two is inevitable. The Vikings could change that by contending this season, but that is looking unlikely and heading into next year they could consider trading him.
Freeman writes that the decreasing value of running backs coupled with the fact that Peterson makes tons of money and is nearing 30 means that he will be on his way out of town soon. Obviously that is no guarantee, but with Norv Turner coming in to run the offense, Peterson's role will likely be decreased a bit and if he starts splitting time and not producing as much, it could be hard to justify his high salary. Peterson is paid the most on the team and if his value to the offense decreases, the equation about his contract will likely force the team to make a move.
This all could hinge on Bridgewater, as Matt Cassel signed a two year deal to come back, but Zimmer said that the QB position will have competition. Many see the team trading Ponder down the line, but according to Pro Football Talk, Turner sees some talent in Ponder and thinks he has every chance to be the backup if he competes in training camp. The Vikings did not pick up the fifth year option on Ponder and that is why many thought he could be traded, but if he establishes himself as a solid backup, he could get another job down the line.
The Vikings come into the season after going just 5-10-1 last year and they are looking to improve on both sides of the ball. The team went defense with their first pick in the draft, selecting Anthony Barr after tricking the Browns into thinking they were taking Justin Gilbert. That trade with the Browns allowed the Vikings to trade back into the first round to get Bridgewater at number 32 and despite the fact that they missed out on Johnny Manziel, they feel confident in the player they picked and they also added David Yankey to help on the offensive line.
The team has a tough road ahead, as they go outside for two years and this comes as they have won just six of their last 35 outdoor games according to ESPN.com. Cassel comes back after passing for over 1,800 yards last season and contributing to all five wins, while Ponder was up and down and injured while passing for 1,648 yards and seven touchdowns.
