5 QB options for Vikings without Teddy Bridgewater
The Minnesota Vikings were met with some truly devastating news Tuesday when franchise quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a reportedly gruesome non-contact knee injury in practice.
The Vikings were making a push to be a dark horse Super Bowl contender this season with a stellar defense, superb running game, and a quarterback anticipated to have his best season yet.
Without Bridgewater, the Vikings have a few options at quarterback on their current roster. Here are five options the Vikings could select to go forward without their young field general:
Stick with Shaun Hill
With a relatively young team and Adrian Peterson still on the roster, the Vikings' best option may be to sit tight with Shaun Hill and let the players develop. The 36-year-old journeyman has been one of the better backups in the NFL over the past nine years. While the team won't be able to keep their high hopes alive, Hill can run the offense well enough to keep the team competitive and he's already on the roster.
Claim Zach Mettenberger
There's not much promise out there on the free-agent quarterback market at this time of the year, but 25-year-old Zach Mettenberger was just waived by the Chargers on Tuesday. The LSU product showed some promise while starting 10 games through two season with the Titans, though he never won a game. Mettenberger has some connections to Vikes offensive coordinator Norv Turner and could allow the youthful team to develop while sliding to a favorable draft spot.
Trade for Josh McCown
If the Vikings decide to make an acquisition through trade, their options will be limited, but Josh McCown may be the best chance at salvaging the season. He's been relatively productive and praised for his leadership, despite starting for three different teams the past three seasons. The Vikings have a talented roster that doesn't require big plays to win games. McCown can operate a steady offense and let Peterson and the defense take care of the big stuff.
Bring back Tarvaris Jackson
Veteran free-agent Tarvaris Jackson once started 12 games for the Vikings back in 2007. The 33-year-old won a Super Bowl as a backup with the Seahawks in 2013 and could bring aspects of their winning culture with him. He had a rough patch this offseason, being charged with aggravated assault, but would be a familiar face in Minnesota and an interesting redemption story.
Trade for Nick Foles
The Vikings were among the three top contenders in the Nick Foles sweepstakes this offseason but lost out to the Chiefs. Now that there's an opportunity to start, Foles is likely rethinking his decision. It might cost a little more to acquire Foles than a lesser option, but if the team plans to go forward as a dark horse playoff contender, the former Eagles and Rams quarterback might be their best bet.
Other notable options: Mark Sanchez (trade with Broncos), Geno Smith (trade with Jets), Mike Glennon (trade with Buccaneers), Mike Vick (free agent), Charlie Whitehurst (free agent), Matt Flynn (free agent)