With the NFL Draft and Free Agency past, rosters around the league are generally set. As the Minnesota Vikings OTAs and mini-camps roll on ahead of training camp, players at every position are working hard to stand out. While they are still running around without pads, the players who can make a good impression now put themselves in better positions to succeed. We will be analyzing each player at each position, from veteran stars to unheralded undrafted free agents. Today, the focus is on the quarterbacks.
Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Depth Chart Projections
Looking Back on Last Season
Headed into last preseason, the Vikings quarterback room was as settled as any in the league. Teddy Bridgewater was the rising start ready to take the next step in his development. Shaun Hill was a stabilizing presence, and Taylor Heinicke was the young upstart trying to oust the veteran backup. A few UDFAs rounded out the room.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, nearly everything that could go wrong with the quarterbacks did. First, Heinicke injured his foot while trying to kick open his friend’s locked door, sidelining him for the whole preseason and a significant chunk of the season. This meant no one was left to challenge Hill for the backup quarterback spot. The two UDFA signal callers looked terrified on an NFL preseason stage. Hill himself clearly had lost any physical talent he had once had. Then, at the end of last August, just before the last preseason game, Bridgewater went down with one of the most gruesome non-contact injuries in recent history. The third-year passer dropped back to pass in practice and tore his ACL while also dislocating his knee. He reportedly nearly lost his leg on the practice field. The quick action of Eric Sugarman and the Vikings medical staff may have saved Bridgewater’s life.
Faced with the prospect of entering the NFL season with Shaun Hill as the only quarterback on the roster with any NFL experience, Rick Spielman made an aggressive trade for the 2010 first overall pick, Sam Bradford. Spielman gave up both a first and a fourth round draft selection in an attempt to save his season. Despite a disappointing 8-8 record, Bradford had his best year in the NFL. He passed for 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions and breaking the single season completion percentage record.
The Roster Today
Sam Bradford
Although coach Mike Zimmer stated unequivocally at the beginning of the off season that Bradford is the Vikings starting quarterback, there has already been a great deal of controversy about if he should be the starter going forward, especially among Vikings fans. Fans and analysts alike argue that Bradford’s high completion percentage is the result of a very low depth of target. They believe check downs inflated his statistics. Additionally, when comparing his numbers last year to his career, the 2016 season appears to be an outlier. His zero career playoff appearances and injury history also discourage fans. Bradford is under contract for just one more season.
Teddy Bridgewater
The obvious challenger to Bradford is the man he was brought in to replace, Teddy Bridgewater. There is no time table for return after such a devastating injury, but footage of Bridgewater dropping back and throwing nine months later is clearly encouraging. He seems to look a little stronger and more confident each time, clearly making progress. The glowing reports from teammates are exciting. Combined with his continuing status as the face of the franchise suggest that, if healthy, he will start for the Vikings again. His charisma, drive, and talent have enamored fans since his rookie year, and his efforts to recover from his injury have only reinforced fans’ view of him.
Although the team declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, if he remains on the physically unable to perform list through week seven of the season, his contract will toll and the team will have him under contract through 2018.
Case Keenum
Assuming Bridgewater is not ready to play week one, the backup quarterback spot will likely belong to former Rams starter and NCAA all-time passing leader Case Keenum, who joined the Vikings this off-season on a one year contract. Keenum started nine games, going 4-5 while passing for nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Keenum is a below average starter, but his experience makes him one of the better backups in the league. He should be good insurance if the Vikings need a fill in starter for a game or two.
Taylor Heinicke
The other player vying for the backup quarterback job will be Taylor Heinicke. While many fans resent Heinicke for the self-inflicted injury that may have forced the Vikings to trade for Bradford following Bridgewater’s injury, he still has an opportunity to seize the number two quarterback job. Undersized and mobile, but strong, Heinicke has yet to appear in a regular season game after going undrafted in 2015. He has the athletic upside to push Keenum and many believe he could still develop into a quality player.
Wes Lunt
Rounding out the room is undrafted rookie Wes Lunt out of Illinois. The rookie has the tools to succeed as a passer, but a long injury history has prevented him from excelling. His is immobile as a passer, which could be an issue behind the Vikings shaky line. With a large frame and big arm, Lunt has a chance to earn a roster spot, in Minnesota or elsewhere. If he can overcome some inaccuracy issues he could develop into a quality player a la Tony Romo.
Conclusion
If Bridgewater is healthy and at least two of the Vikings quarterbacks play to their potential in 2017, Minnesota could have one of the best and deepest quarterback rooms in the league. Three players have NFL starting experience, including a number one overall pick and a Pro Bowler. Every passer on the roster has attractive traits.
One of the most interesting parts of the Vikings quarterback depth is the several former signal callers on the team. Running back Jerick McKinnon was a triple option quarterback in college, and both Tre Roberson and Tommy Armstrong were successful pro-style quarterbacks in college before transitioning to defensive back.
Overall, the depth at the quarterback position should be encouraging to fans terrified of repeating last year’s disaster.
