The Minnesota Vikings’ season may be over before Week 1 of the regular season. On Tuesday, Vikings starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance following a non-contact knee injury in practice. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Bridgewater has been diagnosed with a dislocated kneecap and that type of injury typically involves other torn ligaments and potential nerve damage.
With #Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater suffering what appears to be a dislocated knee, question is what other damage? It can be very serious
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2016
Bridgewater’s injury leaves Shaun Hill and Joel Stave as the only two healthy quarterbacks on the Vikings’ roster. Stave is a rookie undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin and Hill is a 36-year-old journeyman who has struggled with turnovers throughout his career. It’s unlikely the Vikings will defend their NFC North title with either of those guys under center for the majority of the season.
That leaves adding a quarterback as the best option for Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman whether it be via free agency or trade. Here are the five best options for the Vikings to replace Teddy Bridgewater.
1. Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Glennon would be the perfect fit for the Buccaneers, especially if there’s any concern about Bridgewater’s knee past this season. The former third-round pick out of NC State is only 26 years old and has a huge arm and starting experience. The Vikings could start the season with Hill while Glennon learns the playbook and then let Glennon start in Week 3 or 4, whenever he feels he has a good enough understanding of Norv Turner’s offense.
It would likely take at least a mid-round pick for the Vikings to pry Glennon out of Tampa, but this team is built to win in 2016, not two or three years down the road. Adding a guy like Glennon would give the Vikings a decent shot of making the playoffs this season.
2. Geno Smith, New York Jets
The Jets have reportedly taken calls about trading a backup quarterback https://t.co/f2q2FlgbLj
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 29, 2016
The Jets were prepared to start the season with Smith as the team’s starting quarterback until Ryan Fitzpatrick finally signed a deal a month ago. Smith has talent, but he’s been handled improperly in New York throughout his career and could thrive in a new environment.
3. Nick Foles, Kansas City Chiefs
According to the Star Tribune , the Vikings were interested in Foles after he was released by the Rams earlier this offseason, but the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback ultimately decided to sign with the Chiefs. While it’s unclear if Andy Reid would be willing to part with his backup quarterback, Foles could be a nice fit in Turner’s offense.
4. Mark Sanchez, Denver Broncos
Gary Kubiak declines to address Mark Sanchez’s status, and all that that implies https://t.co/a95DKx1Qhk
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 30, 2016
Sanchez isn’t going to start the season on the Broncos roster, that much is definite. The only question is whether the team will trade him or release him. The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly been in talks with the Broncos about the former first-round pick out of USC, but nothing has come to fruition. If the Vikings are interested, there could be a bidding war for Sanchez.
5. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Currently, it sounds as if Kaepernick will be on the 49ers’ roster to begin the season, but I’m sure general manager Trent Baalke would be open to deal his controversial quarterback if the Vikings come calling. Kaepernick’s skill set closely mirrors Bridgewater’s which could appeal to the Minnesota Vikings.
While these five options may be better than Hill or Stave, it’s obviously going to be hard for the Minnesota Vikings to overcome the loss of Teddy Bridgewater.
[Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images]