The Minnesota Vikings have a quarterback dilemma in their hands as they have to choose between Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater as their starter moving forward. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he will be announcing the team’s choice on Wednesday. According to Zimmer, he has already decided on who will start against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11, but he has yet to talk to the two quarterbacks before announcing his choice.
“I haven't sat down and talked to anybody yet, so I'm going to wait until Wednesday,” Zimmer said, per NFL.com.
The question is, will Zimmer relegate Keenum to a backup role despite his four-touchdown performance in their 38-30 win over the Washington Redskins Sunday?
Keenum completed 21-of-29 passes for 304 yards with two interceptions to bag his fifth win – including four straight -- as a starter as the Vikings improved to an NFC North-leading 7-2 mark. Keenum took over as a starter after Sam Bradford went down with a knee injury.
Will Zimmer put Vikings’ fate in Bridgewater?
Or will Zimmer put the Vikings’ fate in the hands of Bridgewater, who was active for the first time in 672 days? He missed the whole 2016 season after sustaining a dislocated knee and a torn ACL. Compared to Keenum, Bridgewater will provide the Vikings with a high ceiling as they aspire to make it to the Super Bowl. However, it will be a big gamble for the Vikings considering that Bridgewater was out of action for almost two years.
The Vikings’ 32nd overall pick in 2014, Bridgewater started 12 of 13 games that year, throwing for 2,919 yards and 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He also carried the ball 47 times for 209 yards and a score. The next season, the Vikings installed Bridgewater as a full-time starter. That year, he completed 292-of-447 passes for 3,231 yards and 14 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
He also carried the ball 44 times for 192 yards and three scores.
Fitzpatrick to start for Buccaneers anew
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick Sunday when they take on the Miami Dolphins. In their 15-10 win over the New York Jets, Fitzpatrick completed 17-of-34 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
Fitzpatrick took over starting duties for the Buccaneers after Jameis Winston was sidelined by a lingering shoulder injury. In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said the coaching staff has not tackled the possibility of shutting down Winston, adding that they expect their starting quarterback to return this season.
