The Minnesota Vikings head into training camp with a three-way battle for the starting quarterback job, and rookie Teddy Bridgewater is making a serious run.
The starting quarterback competition is wide open in Minnesota. There are three candidates who are looking to be the signal caller for the Vikings.
Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel each offer prior starting experience with the Vikings. Ponder showed promise in 2012, but this was largely due to running back Adrian Peterson’s MVP season.
The former first-round pick failed to take the next step in his development, despite receiving an upgrade at wide receiver with the signing of Greg Jennings and drafting of Cordarrelle Patterson.
Ponder eventually lost his job when he injured his shoulder, and Cassel was pressed into action. The former New England Patriot did not show enough to be a long-term starter, but he was better than Ponder.
They are both in serious danger of sitting on the bench though, thanks to the Vikings’ drafting of Teddy Bridgewater.
Bridgewater impressed at Louisville, and his name popped up in the Heisman discussion often. The former Louisville star showed incredible accuracy, completing 71 percent of his passes while throwing 31 touchdown passes against a minimal four interceptions.
He has stood out in OTAs and minicamps so far, so it will be no surprise if he starts Week 1. However, Bridgewater will need to stand out in preseason as well to beat out Cassel for the job.
The Vikings will almost certainly carry all three quarterbacks on the roster since Cassel and Ponder offer plenty of experience, and Bridgewater may be the next young quarterback to be a breakout star.
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