The Minnesota Vikings did not want a quarterback competition heading into this offseason, but it appears that is what they are getting. The team has failed to find quarterback stability since Brett Favre walked into retirement and this year may or may not be any different. While all signs towards Matt Cassel starting under center Week 1 of the 2014 season, there is a case being made for Teddy Bridgewater as minicamp kicks off.
Head coach Mike Zimmer is not committing to a start despite saying that Cassel was re-signed because of his immediate starting abilities. Zimmer continues to remain very positive about Bridgewater's abilities and told the press that right now no decision on a permanent starter has been made.
"I want to give everybody an opportunity and make sure that it's a legitimate opportunity for all of them," Zimmer said via, USA Today. "Then we'll start narrowing down the reps as we get going. But it won't be for a while. The thing that I want to guard against most is rushing into a decision where we make a decision quickly as opposed to making the correct decision. So, our main focus now is making the correct decision, not so much for the fans or the media or anybody else on this football team. And that's really in regards to all the positions, not just the quarterback position."
Zimmer's approach to the quarterback position is different than former head coach Leslie Frazier who named Christian Ponder the immediate starter before practices even began. That failed to work out as the former first-round draft pick has dropped all the way to third string while fighting for a roster spot.
The Vikings admiration for Bridgewater has reportedly been going on for some time and the rookie has a legitimate chance at being named the starter. The rookie notes that he began bonding with offensive coordinator Norv Turner long before the NFL Draft and that chemistry has carried into camp.
"He's one of the best coaches in the game right now, an offensive mastermind," Bridgewater said. "It started back in the pre-draft process. He would come multiple times. He's a great coach. It's somebody who wants the best out of every quarterback on the roster. The relationship we have right now is just a great relationship."
That relationship has helped Bridgewater show improvement as a player in just the short time he has been working with Turner. He has improved so much that Ponder is now left fight for his job. The quarterback is owed over $1 million in guaranteed money this upcoming season, so it is pointless for the Vikings to release him. However, the team will attempt to work out a trade for the quarterback, something that has failed to develop over the past year. There is very little chance that Ponder gets dealt. His best shot might be the New York Giants or Buffalo Bills, but that is it.
