It was widely assumed that Donovan McNabb wouldn’t make it the entire 2011 season as the Vikings starting quarterback and that proved to be the case. But Joe Webb has forced his way into the discussion in recent weeks as he’s clearly out performed rookie Christian Ponder.
Bob Sansevere of the Pioneer Press writes that this quarterback controversy could be a pretty serious for the team given that Webb and Ponder are closer in age. Sansevere even mentions that possibility of trading Christian Ponder if they feel that Webb gives them the best shot at winning.
“Quarterback controversies are fine and fun for fans, but they can rip a team apart, and they are particularly difficult when they involve players of similar age,” Sansevere writes. “You can’t say, ‘Well, QB1 will retire soon, and then QB1A will run the team.’ If the Vikings decide Webb is the guy, there should be a discussion about trading Ponder. He doesn’t come off as someone who would be satisfied being a long-term backup, especially behind a QB who was supposed to be his backup.”
Teams almost never give up on a top-ten draft pick after just one season but Ponder has shown that he’ll require more time to develop before the team can count on him consistently. Still a trade seems like a long shot at this point.
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