QBs the Vikings could target if Teddy Bridgewater is out for season

ByJOHN CLAYTON
August 30, 2016, 6:11 PM

— -- The Minnesota Vikings' Super Bowl hopes crashed Tuesday when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a "significant" knee injury.

When asked if Bridgewater could miss the season, coach Mike Zimmer said "it doesn't look good right now."

If Bridgewater is out for the season, it's going to be tough for the Vikings to get through a 16-game schedule with 36-year-old Shaun Hill at quarterback. The other two quarterbacks on their roster are  Taylor Heinicke, who was an undrafted free agent in 2015, and Joel Stave, who went undrafted this year. They could also bring back  Brad Sorensen, who was cut on Tuesday, but he likely isn't an option to start.

A season-ending injury to Bridgewater would force the Vikings to be aggressive in trying to find a replacement. They would need to bring in someone who could challenge Hill and Heinicke. Here are the quarterbacks I think fit best if Bridgewater is out for a significant amount of time.

1. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

Forget the controversy about the national anthem. Kaepernick has to be a consideration. San Francisco coach Chip Kelly hasn't named a starter, but Blaine Gabbert appears to have the job, and I'm sure 49ers ownership wouldn't mind unloading Kaepernick. Still, Kaepernick has talent and could be worked into a Norv Turner offense that features the run.

To facilitate such a trade, Kaepernick would either have to restructure his contract, or the 49ers would need to kick in money to help the Vikings. Kaepernick's $12.9 million salary is guaranteed, and the Vikings have only $6.2 million of cap room. A fifth-round pick might be all it takes to get the trade done. This might not be a popular move, but I think it's the Vikings' best option.

2. Brandon Weeden, Houston Texans

Turner coached Weeden in 2013 when he was offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. Weeden started five games for Turner and played eight. His numbers weren't good. Weeden completed 52.8 percent of his passes and had 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. But he does know the system.

3. Christian Ponder, San Francisco 49ers

Ponder was being phased out as the Vikings' starting quarterback when Turner arrived in Minnesota as the offensive coordinator. He had one start and threw 44 passes.

4. Mark Sanchez, Denver Broncos

It's clear the Broncos would like to move him now that Trevor Siemian has won the starting job in Denver. At $4.5 million, Sanchez would fit in the Vikings' salary cap. The paths of Turner and Sanchez haven't crossed. The Vikings are going to rely heavily on running back  Adrian Peterson regardless, and Sanchez could manage the offense.

5. Geno Smith, New York Jets

Though this isn't a great option, it is an available option. The Jets could trade him for a low draft choice. Smith, who is 11-18 as a starter, is in the last year of his contract. He has a decent arm, but his career completion percentage is just 57.9.

6. Brian Hoyer, Chicago Bears

Hoyer spent the 2013 season with the Browns when Turner was offensive coordinator. Weeden suffered a thumb injury on Sept. 18. Hoyer filled in and did well. The Browns won all three of his starts, and he completed 59.4 percent of his passes with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. An ACL tear ended his season. He's on a cheap one-year deal with the Bears. Would they part with him? They might hold onto him as insurance for starter  Jay Cutler.

7. Charlie Whitehurst, free agent

Whitehurst spent two years as a backup for Turner when he was with the San Diego Chargers from 2007 to 2009. He didn't get on the field in three seasons. He spent last season with the Titans and Colts.

8. Matt Cassel, Tennessee Titans

Cassel was Bridgewater's backup in 2014. He had three starts and completed 57.7 percent of his passes and had 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions that year. But he wasn't good with the Cowboys last season, and he's down the list of options.

9. EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills

Manuel is in the last year of his contract with the Bills, and they aren't expected to bring him back next season after signing Tyrod Taylor to a contract extension. He has 22 starts on his resume, and a trade would likely cost the Vikings a low draft pick.

10. T.J. Yates, free agent

Yates was cleared to return to the field after recovering from an ACL tear suffered last year. He threw 57 passes with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception for the Texans last season. He's 4-3 as a starter in his career.