NFL Trade Rumors: Vikings Trading QB Christian Ponder?

Some NFL trade rumors don’t have much juice, but by the way Vikings QB Christian Ponder is talking about his time in Minnesota, it brings up a very interesting topic… will the Minnesota Vikings trade Ponder?

USA TODAY Sports recently talked to Ponder about his potential future with another team. Here’s an excerpt from the piece by Tom Pelissero:

"“There are benefits for me being here,” Ponder told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “I’m learning a lot. It’s less stressful. At the same time, I’ve always got to be ready, because football’s a crazy game. I could play at some point. But it’s an opportunity for me to learn. I do really feel like it’s going to benefit me in the long run.“If something happens — I get traded, or there’s an opportunity elsewhere to play — I want to play. But this is where I am right now. I can’t control it.”"

By the way Ponder is talking about his future, it doesn’t sound like there’s a long term commitment to staying with the Vikings.

He made it clear that he wants playing time, and that’s the issue in the whole situation. Will any NFL team want to make a deal for Ponder that gives the quarterback a shot to play?

Ultimately, the deal would make sense for the Vikings. With Matt Cassel on the roster and Teddy Bridgewater the unquestioned future of the franchise, the team’s depth chart is pretty set in stone. Ponder clearly hasn’t given Minnesota any reason to want to keep him around, something that could lead to significant trade interest in the Vikings’ front office.

Ponder won’t be under center any time soon, so why not work a deal that can work to the advantage of both Ponder and the organization?

Even though there isn’t a need with the Vikings, I can think of many teams in the NFL that could use some depth at the quarterback spot. Does this rumor become reality fairly soon?