Minnesota Vikings addition of Josh Freeman not a reflection on Christian Ponder

Matt Cassel led the Minnesota Vikings to their first win of the season in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cassel started for the injured Christian Ponder who was 0-3 to that point. In those 3 games, Ponder completed just 59% of his passes for two touchdowns and five interceptions. No longer than a few days after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Vikings signed quarterback Josh Freeman to add to the mix.

However, Vikings GM Rick Spielman said that the addition was no reflection on Christian Ponder’s status with the team, but instead, just to add talent to the team. In a conference call with reporters on Monday, Spielman had this to say,

"“Part of my job is to make sure I’m trying get the best 53 players on this roster. At the end of the season, we’ll make an evaluation like we always do and determine that going forward but by no means is this a reflection on we’re disappointed in Christian Ponder or disappointed in Matt Cassel or disappointed in Bethel, it was just an opportunity to go out and add another football player that we have high regard for.”"

Minnesota is still confident and hopeful that Ponder will be the quarterback that they envisioned him as when they selected him in the first round, but the addition of Freeman simply gives them another option if Ponder gives them reason to think otherwise.