Written by Cody Benjamin at CBS Sports.com
The NFC North has a quarterback problem.
While the Detroit Lions wonder if a sprained ankle had anything to do with Matt Stafford’s five-turnover day and Green Bay Packers fans campaign for Tony Romo, Colin Kaepernick and — wait for it — Brett Favre to replace an injured Aaron Rodgers, the Minnesota Vikings have their own decisions to make under center.
A year after his ultra-efficient Vikings debut, made with hardly a few weeks’ worth of exposure to Minnesota’s play book, Sam Bradford opened 2017 as his promising summer suggested he would — with excellence. But recurring knee pain, which sidelined him for three weeks and left him immobile against the Chicago Bears has now, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, cast doubt on the remainder of his injury-riddled career. It has all but removed Bradford from the immediate picture at quarterback for the Vikings.
No one is obligated to feel bad for a guy who’s collected millions from three different teams despite being a frequent name on the injury report, but it’s a shame for all parties if Bradford’s knee, repaired twice for ACL tears during his time with the Rams, has been worn down indefinitely. Perhaps it makes easier Minnesota’s looming decision regarding Bradford as a 2018 free agent, but it also removes the veteran with the highest floor from the team’s QB room. For all his limitations, Bradford had been remarkably productive with the Vikes when given time to throw. In his last four starts he has thrown for nine TDs and one interception, and there have never been questions about his work ethic.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, for what it’s worth, has downplayed the “career-threatening” headlines, and Bradford has been seeking additional treatment in New York, according to NFL Network.
But here are the pressing concerns: If Bradford does make a return to the field, it sure doesn’t sound like it’ll come before Teddy Bridgewater is eligible to make his own return, especially after the former starter was reportedly cleared to practiceMonday. And by that point, which rehabilitating signal-caller gives the team the best chance to win a division that, ironically, is now without Rodgers? Does Bridgewater, who has not played a game since Blair Walsh infamously missed a field goal vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 10, 2016, really offer more than Bradford? Does he even offer more than overlooked backup Case Keenum?
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