Fansided

Minnesota Vikings not picking up Christian Ponder’s fifth-year option

By Josh Sanchez

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Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) warms up passing before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) warms up passing before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports /

Christian Ponder joined the Minnesota Vikings as the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, but his time with the team could soon be coming to an end. With the deadline for team’s around the league to pick up their fifth-year options on players from the 2011 draft class looming, the Vikings have decided to not pick up Ponder’s option.

That will mean that Ponder will be on a one-year “prove it” deal, but he could still be in danger of being released before the start of the season and that is something he is very aware of.

“Honestly, I’m not thinking about it,” Ponder said, via ESPN.com. “Plus, the option doesn’t really mean much. They can cut me without anything after this year so it doesn’t matter.”

Ponder is hoping that the team’s new offense will lead to some newly found success in Minnesota, and he will need to show that he has a strong grasp on the offense and capable of improving if he wants to have a future with the team.

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