The Minnesota Vikings quarterback race appears to be down to two players. The team currently has three on the roster including last year's starter Christian Ponder, veteran Matt Cassel and rookie Teddy Bridgewater. At the start of training camp, head coach Mike Zimmer stressed that each quarterback would get a chance to prove if they deserve to be the 2014 starter, but early reports suggest that only Cassel and Bridgewater are getting those reps.
Ponder survived his fifth-year option not getting picked up as well as an offseason filled with trade rumors and yet he remains on the roster. Zimmer even stressed that Ponder had something to offer the team and certainly stood a chance at earning the starting spot. However, ESPN 1500 Twin Cities is reporting that Bridgewater and Cassel are getting the reps while Ponder has been demoted to more of a spectator role. The 2011 first-round draft pick is working with third string and practice squad players.
This comes as no surprise to Vikings' fans. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has spent most of the last week raving over Bridgewater's abilities and Cassel presence while barely mentioning the likes of Ponder. However, Zimmer continues to support the quarterback's future as he will likely remain on the roster through the season.
"Actually, I think Christian has done a very good job in the time that we've had him and how much he has improved in that amount of time," Zimmer said, via ESPN.com. "We're going to try to give everyone a fair shot, and preseason games will help determine it. We want someone who is going to take care of the football, lead the team in the right direction and when called upon be able to win football games. To me, the starting quarterback also comes down to what kind of team we have - the defense, how good we are there, and the offensive line. Those things are all important to understanding who the quarterback may be, as well."
The Vikings were hoping to not have any quarterback issues this season with a new head coach and coordinators in place. One player tired of the inconsistencies is running back Adrian Peterson. The veteran told reporters that he was extremely frustrated with the Vikings when the team fired Leslie Frazier, but he supports Zimmer and is hoping for the best.
"I wasn't happy. I wasn't feeling good about being here in Minnesota at the end of last season," Peterson said, via ESPN.com. "Coaches change, but everything was shaken up. That changed when these guys came in, and draft picks and different things like that. [I] bought back in, and I'll let it ride out."
