The Minnesota Vikings are very certain their future includes Teddy Bridgewater as their starting quarterback and Adrian Peterson as their star running back. However, outside of those two, there are lingering questions especially at the wide receiver position. The Vikings lacked a true No. 1 receiver as Greg Jennings led the group, but truly failed to impress much. As the team continues to get linked to several trade rumors, offensive coordinator Norv Turner is expressing his confidence in everyone on the roster.
Cordarrelle Patterson is at the center of most of the trade rumors for the Vikings as the wide receiver has failed to live up to his first-round draft ranking in two seasons with the team. Much has been made about Patterson's lack of development as he has the skillset to be a versatile threat, but cannot seem to translate to that on-the-field success. The Minnesota Tribune believes Patterson could be a trade target in the offseason, but Turner believes patience is the key to the receiver.
While speaking with the media on KFAN1003, Turner compared Patterson to Michael Irvin saying that some guys just require patience and faith. Irvin did not breakout in the league until his fourth season and Patterson appears to be on pace for the same results. The wide receiver has all of the tools needed to be the deep threat Minnesota thought they were drafting, he just needs to put everything together.
For now, Patterson will sit low on the depth chart as Turner believes Charles Johnson will be the best receiver for the team in 2015. The wide receiver emerged as an unexpected threat for Bridgewater after getting picked up from the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. He finished the year with 415 yards off 25 catches. Turner has plenty of confidence in his future moving forward after calling him "far and away our best receiver."
If Johnson and Patterson are coming back and Peterson is expected to return with his heavy cap hit, someone will be a casualty. According to ESPN.com, Jennings could end up being on the outside looking in. The aging receiver is a high cap hit moving forward and simply does not have the stats or youth to warrant the pay check. If Minnesota has to make a cut, he could be the prime target.
