Minnesota Vikings Have a Rare, Tricky Problem to Sort Out
By Erik Lambert
People always think a team can never have too much of a good thing. Most of the time that’s true, but the Minnesota Vikings it’s a different case.
Having not two but three capable quarterbacks sounds like an inexpressible luxury but the truth is it’s a difficult problem that they’ll have to sort out sooner than they may like. Case Keenum has been tremendous for them since coming off the bench after Sam Bradford got hurt earlier this year with a knee injury. At the same time Bradford is now healthy. The same goes for Teddy Bridgewater who was their clear cut starter going into 2016 before a knee injury sidelined him as well.
What makes things overly complicated for Minnesota is that all three of these players will be free agents in 2018. Some might think a simple solution is to try re-signing all three or at least two of the three. However, that’s likely not going to be the case. Bradford has made it clear many times he wishes to compete for the starting job. If he feels he’ll be relegated to backup for the Vikings, he won’t return. Bridgewater is still young and will no doubt have opportunities elsewhere too. Keenum has the hot hand and is only 29-years old.
Who do the Vikings go with?
GM Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer must make a choice
In other words the likelihood is the team brass will be forced to make a decision on one of them as their quarterback of the future. Do they ride the hot hand of Keenum who seems to mesh so well with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur? Do they go back to their former 1st round pick Bridgewater who led them to the playoffs in 2015 and went to a Pro Bowl? Or do they give Bradford another chance after his outstanding run in 2016?
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For some it may seem like an easy decision. Problem is that’s furthest from the case. Whomever the Vikings choose, there’s a good chance they’ll lose the other two to other teams. In other words they better be sure they make the right call. It could end up costing them a shot at a Super Bowl championship if they end up getting it wrong. Who will they choose? That may heavily depend on what happens in the next few weeks. Rest assured it’s going to be a fascinating development either way.