Things in Minnesota are warm and active during the summer months, much like the talk of a possible Christian Ponder trade. With the Vikings taking former Louisville Cardinals' Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with the last pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and re-signing veteran Matt Cassel, Ponder could be the guy hitting the road in the twin cities.
Some of the scuttlebutt, like this from NFL.com, points to Ponder being shopped around for trade.
The Vikings have re-signed Cassel, picked Bridgewater as the quarterback of the future and declined Ponder's 2015 option. So why are they prepared to waste first-team reps this offseason on a quarterback who has fallen out of their plans? It looks like they are attempting to rebuild some semblance of trade value. Ponder still offers higher upside than the average NFL backup, and he could fit in well on some squads.
NFL.com lists the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints as the most probable landing spots for Ponder, but the Eagles may be a possibility, considering the high injury potential for the QB there. Also, you could add the Giants to that list, because they don't have much depth behind Eli Manning. Ponder would also make be a pretty good fit in both the systems too, because he is a pretty good athlete and can get out of the pocket and move when need be. Also not hurting Ponder with the two NFC East rivals-Former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is now the Eagles quarterbacks coach, and Former Vikings quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson is now coaching for the Giants.
Ponder, a former Florida State Seminole, was originally selected with the 12th-overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. In his career, he has completed 610 of 1,013 passes for 6,436 yards with 38 touchdowns and 34 interceptions.
Ponder is not out of touch with his status, either. He told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press that Ponder, he knew how things lined up. He lost his starting job to Cassel midway through last season, and he said he understands his status.
"I'll get opportunities through training camp and preseason to try to earn a spot," he said. "It's not awkward -- I understand what's going on. I had some opportunities that I didn't take full advantage of. If I would have played better, I wouldn't be in the situation here right now.
"We'll see how it plays out -- football's a crazy game."
