Position Battles: Minnesota Vikings Starting Quarterback

When the Vikings drafted Christian Ponder back in April, it was widely assumed they would bring in another quarterback this season to compete with him.  Today, we found out who, and that who is Donovan McNabb.

McNabb struggled last season, throwing for 15 picks and only 14 touchdowns.  His rating of 77.1 was his worst since 1999, and he fumbled a career high 10 times.  Now that being said, I believe has more in the tank then last season seems to suggest.

We have to remember, McNabb played for one of the more dysfunctional franchises in football over the past few seasons, so the talent was not around him like he had in Philadelphia and even Minnesota.

Since the Vikings have added the veteran quarterback they wanted, the attention now must turn to resigning Sidney Rice.  If the Vikings lose Rice, it will hamper whoever wins the starting quarterback job out of camp, as the Vikings have no other proven receivers outside of Percy Harvin.

Since the trade is conditional on McNabb restructuring his contract, there is no way to know if this is all said and done.  However, assuming McNabb does restructure his contract, the Vikings got a great deal for him, giving up only two sixth round picks.

Regardless of his contract situation, I believe McNabb will only be in Minnesota for one season, after that he will either retire, or be cut by the Vikings.

It should be an interesting pre-season as the Vikings will have to decide who to start for this season.  Do they go for one last Hail Mary and try to reach the Super Bowl this season with McNabb, or do they acknowledge that they aren’t a Super Bowl caliber team this season, and enter a full blown rebuilding campaign focused around Ponder and running back Adrian Peterson?