QBs the Vikings could target if Teddy Bridgewater is out for season
— -- 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
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
3. Christian Ponder, San Francisco 49ers
4. Mark Sanchez, Denver Broncos
5. Geno Smith, New York Jets
6. Brian Hoyer, Chicago Bears
7. Charlie Whitehurst, free agent
8. Matt Cassel, Tennessee Titans
9. EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills