The Minnesota Vikings are saying the right things when it comes to the press. Head coach Mike Zimmer continues to insist that while Matt Cassel is getting first-team reps, the competition for starting quarterback is certainly wide open. In an effort to not rush Teddy Bridgewater along, Zimmer is letting the two quarterbacks plus former starter Christian Ponder all feel like they have a shot leading into training camp. That makes for fun headlines, but it appears the depth chart is already set.
Cassel re-signed with the Vikings because he wanted to start. The veteran had a toe dipped in the retirement pool, but opted to return simply because he was told the starting job was his to lose. After an unimpressive few seasons as the starting quarterback and potential face of the franchise, Ponder had been demoted to second string last season and appears to be falling farther down the depth chart with each practice.
According to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, Ponder has no chance of winning the starting job or backup job with the Vikings and will likely get released sometime before the season starter. Goessling writes that Minnesota is more invested in Cassel and Bridgewater than they are with Ponder. After not picking up his fifth-year option, the team is preparing to release him now or let him walk away in free agency. Financially, it makes sense to keep Ponder since he must get paid either way, but if the Vikings opt to only carry two quarterbacks this season, they will not think twice before dumping the former first-round draft pick.
As of now, Cassel is the starting quarterback and Bridgewater is the backup. That is no shock to fans. Many are surprised Ponder has made it this far. The quarterback has faced trade rumors for the entire offseason, but no one has bit on him, likely assuming the Vikings would just release him and they could sign Ponder for cheaper. At this point, that trade will never come so Minnesota must decide what to do since they must pay him either way.
Bridgewater notes that he is perfectly fine with being the backup to the veteran. Missing OTAs for a rookie media photo shoot, the quarterback told media that he is eager to learn as much as he can before stepping onto the field.
"It's not tough at all because I have nothing but my best interest for the team, and I'm very excited about this team that we have here," Bridgewater said, via ESPN.com. "I'm just happy for this entire team. If I'm not the guy, then I know the coaches have the best interest for the team also. My teammates also have the best interest for the team. So in order for me to be a better player, I have to have the best interest for the team and want nothing but the best interest for the team."
It is a good thing Bridgewater has that attitude because according to Zimmer, unless something unexpected were to happen, Cassel will remain the starter for the year so the rookie can develop. Something catastrophic must happen for Ponder to see playing time under center.
