As we mentioned earlier in the day, all signs suggest that the Vikings will start Matt Cassel at quarterback against the Panthers on Sunday, despite Christian Ponder being cleared to play.
HC Leslie Frazier was not willing to reveal who the starter will be this weekend, but Sean Jensen reports that Cassel received “most, if not all” of the first-team reps during Thursday”s practice.
Meanwhile, Ponder sounded defeated when talking to reporters.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. We’ll see how things play out,” said Ponder regarding the current quarterback situation, per Sean Jensen. “Some of the dynamics of this organization have changed, obviously … But I’m preparing like I’m going to be on the field.”
- Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press believes Ponder “knows it’s over in Minnesota.”
- Ponder mentioned that a “trade would be difficult to deal with.“
If the team is unwilling to give him the starting job back now that he’s healthy, there’s almost no way they’ll be willing to give him playing time once Josh Freeman is up to speed with regards to their offense.
Both Cassel and Ponder are under contract through the 2014 season, so it will be interesting to see what they elect to do regarding their backup quarterback position during the offseason. Cassel will make $3.7 million in 2014 while Ponder has $1. 76 million remaining on his rookie contract. It’s also worth noting that Freeman will be an unrestricted free agent come March.
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