Vikings’ Matt Cassel ‘heavy favorite’ to start at quarterback
By Mike Dyce
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the 2014 NFL Draft, a player many thought could be the first player to be taken off the board. It doesn’t look like the Vikings are eager to get him under center right away, and the USA Today is reporting that Matt Cassel is the “heavy favorite” to start.
"Cassel, a 10th-year veteran with 68 NFL starts, is the heavy favorite to start entering camp after re-signing on a two-year, $10.5 million contract in March. But Bridgewater, the final first-round pick (32nd ovreall) of May’s draft, got some first-team reps during offseason practices and acquitted himself well."
Bridgewater started his college career as a true freshman, so he is no stranger to being thrown to the wolves. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has said he won’t name a starting quarterback early in camp, giving Cassel, Bridgewater and Christian Ponder a chance to compete.
Bridgewater is uncomfortable talking about a quarterback competition though, preferring to just play football.
“That’s something I don’t feel comfortable talking about,” Bridgewater said Monday. “I’m just looking forward to training camp. Can’t wait to get to Mankato, put the pads on and just continue doing what we’ve got to do: play football.”