Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder seems poised to begin the season buried on the team’s depth chart, with Matt Cassel earning the starting job and rookie signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater having a strong showing in the preseason.
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That has led to some discussion and rumblings of a potential trade for Christian Ponder, but the quarterback told media this week that he does not have any plans to ask for a trade.
Instead, he plans to continue learning and better himself as a player.
“I’m not asking for a trade,” Ponder said, via the Pioneer Press.
“I’m learning so much right now. I do feel like it’s beneficial for me to be right here right now. As a competitor, though, you want to be the guy that’s out there playing. But I do feel like in the situation I’m in right now, I am getting better though I’m not playing.”
While Ponder may not specifically be asking the Vikings for a trade, he could ultimately have no say.
If a team with a poor back up quarterback situation ends up deciding that they need more talent behind their starter, the Vikings could start fielding calls. At that point, it would come down to whether or not they thought the compensation on the table would be enough to part ways with Ponder.
One team who could be worth watching on the Ponder trade market is the San Francisco 49ers, who have watched back up Blaine Gabbert struggle throughout the preseason.