A look at the quarterbacks heading into Vikings training camp
Leading up to the start of training camp on July 29, we will set the stage for Vikings camp by taking a look at where things stand at each position group. Today, we will kick off the series with some quarterback talk.
A QUICK REFRESHER: With Teddy Bridgewater entrenched as the starter heading into his third NFL season, the only move the Vikings made at this position was signing former Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave as a rookie free agent. The Vikings are focused on Bridgewater and his development, and their biggest talking point this spring was publicly urging the young QB to “let it loose.” By that, they presumably mean being more decisive in the pocket and not being afraid to trust his receivers to make plays for him. Top pick Laquon Treadwell could encourage Bridgewater to do that.
HOT CAMP STORYLINE: OK, so this is probably as lukewarm as camp stories can get, but is 36-year-old backup quarterback Shaun Hill still capable of getting it done? He only made one meaningful appearance last season, going 2-for-6 for 15 yards after Bridgewater got concussed in an overtime win over the Rams. That relief stint was pretty underwhelming, but to be fair, it was a small sample size and the Vikings didn’t need him to throw the ball all over the place. The assumption is that the Vikings can coax another year out of Hill, but is there any chance that one of the two young quarterbacks on the roster can leapfrog the veteran?
TOP BATTLE TO WATCH: While Hill’s standing as the QB2 seems pretty secure, second-year quarterback Taylor Heinicke will have to fend off Stave, the 24-year-old rookie who overcame a case of the yips in college to become a legitimate NFL prospect. Heinicke impressed the Vikings enough in last year’s preseason finale to make the team and he showed enough in practice throughout the season to remain on the active roster. For that reason, he has the early edge over the strong-armed Stave to remain the QB3.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE: Bridgewater. Duh. The 2014 first-round pick threw for just 14 touchdowns last season, but the Vikings didn’t win 11 games with him under center by accident. Bridgewater, when he wasn’t handing the ball off, mostly avoided big mistakes and did well to salvage plays when his offensive line often crashed down around him. The Vikings prioritized their offensive line during the offseason and added Treadwell in the draft, putting Bridgewater in position to take a big step forward in 2016.
EARLY ROSTER BREAKDOWN:
On the 90-man roster: 4
Projected to make the 53-man: 2-3
Roster locks: 1 (Bridgewater)
Good bets: 1 (Hill)
On the bubble: 2 (Heinicke and Stave)