The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a unique position. Fresh off an appearance in the NFC title game, they're about to be a franchise without a quarterback.
The contracts are set to expire on Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, and Sam Bradford and, in one fell swoop, the Vikings are about to go from three starting quarterbacks to none.
What should the team do at the position? Who should be brought back and who should be allowed to hit free agency?
Sam Bradford
Of the three Vikings passers, Bradford had the best single-game performance of the season.
As Minnesota's opening-day starter, Bradford shredded the New Orleans Saints by completing 84 percent of his passes, tossing three touchdown passes, and completing a 29-19 victory with a passer rating of 143. The output was a brief reminder of why Bradford was a Heisman Trophy winner in college and a former first overall draft pick.
But success is fleeting for the veteran. Bradford sustained a knee injury in Week 1 that sidelined him for all but one more game this season. The injury required extensive treatment, including a scope performed by Dr. James Andrews.
Bradford was afforded nearly a full season to rest the knee, and while it was reported as structurally sound, pain persisted in the area. The Vikings should view that as a red flag.
Rather than rest the hopes of their franchise on Bradford's wonky knee, Minnesota should take a pass.
The move: Let him hit free agency
Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater has had to rebound from a knee injury of his own but his was of a much more catastrophic nature.
The 25-year-old returned from a dislocated knee and torn ACL quicker than expected and was cleared to play this season, though his only action came in the form of two incomplete passes in mop-up duty.
Bridgewater is now fully healthy and eager to restart what was once a promising career. He's stated that he has designs on a starting position in the NFL, but he may have to look elsewhere for that opportunity.
As with Bradford, the Vikings should exercise caution when it comes to putting a quarterback with questionable physical health at the controls of a championship-caliber team.
Minnesota declined a fifth-year option on Bridgewater's contract at a time when his return was in question. Upcoming free agency allows an ideal opportunity for both team and player to head in divergent paths.
Bridgewater has made many fans in the Twin Cities, thanks in part to his heartwarming story, but if he's serious about his professional future, he should pursue it somewhere where he'll be allowed a fresh start.
The move: Let him hit free agency
Case Keenum
All season, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was wary of declaring Keenum his starting quarterback. He instead offered the quarterback a 15-game audition.
The results drew rave reviews in the regular season. In the playoffs, it became apparent what gave Zimmer such trepidation.
Keenum threw three interceptions in two playoff games, including a pick-6 that changed the course of the NFC Championship Game.
Aside from the postseason, Keenum had a career year in a relief role. And it's likely the Vikings have already gotten the best out of him.
Keenum created great music with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, the Pro Football Writers of America's assistant coach of the year, but Shurmur has taken the head coaching job with the New York Giants, leaving the Vikings' offensive future in flux.
Rather than enter 2018, coming off a 13-3 season, with an entirely different crop of quarterbacks, the Vikings should offer Keenum a short-term, prove-it deal and allow him to begin next season as the starter.
What Minnesota should seek is a set-up much like the Los Angeles Rams had in 2016. Draft a quarterback worthy of being the future of the franchise and let him watch Keenum until he's ready to take the reins.
It's the scenario that would most allow the Vikings and its top-ranked defense an opportunity at sustained success.
The move: Re-sign to short-term deal
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
