The Minnesota Viking Never ending Quarterback Drama– Who Will Start On Sunday?

Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) leaves the field after losing tot he Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns win 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Ponder has been — for better and worse — the Vikings’ undisputed starting quarterback.

But now the writing on the wall is starting to change and that writing is starting to spell out that Ponder might not be the starter this Sunday against the Panthers, or anytime after that.

So you can understand if he seems a little upset lately.

“Some of the dynamics of this organization have changed, obviously, with bringing in Josh (Freeman),” Ponder said Thursday after practice. “But I’m preparing like I’m going to be on the field, and my biggest focus is (on) controlling what I can control.”

On Thursday at Practice Matt Cassel took most — if not all — the repetitions at quarterback with the starting offense.

Ponder suggested that he “split some reps” with Cassel.

Asked what he’s been told about his role, Ponder said, “I’ll let Coach (Leslie) Frazier address that.”

Ponder later reiterated that he has been told the Vikings’ plans, whatever those plans may be.

Frazier, who spoke with the media after Ponder, said he wanted to wait until after practice Friday to make a decision on who would start Sunday.

When told about what Ponder’s comments, Frazier said, “I think you’d have to go by what you think. I don’t want to read into what he said. I wasn’t here when he said it. I want to see how they do tomorrow. That will help me clear up some things.”

Frazier said Ponder made “tremendous progress and did well today.”

“I would be lying if I didn’t say it’s a little disappointing and frustrating. But I’m not going to get too discouraged about it,” Ponder said. “I’m a man of faith, and I know God’s in control. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what the next few weeks, few months, hold. We’ll see how everything plays out.

Trading Ponder would be an obvious option for the Vikings, they could recoup something for a player they once heralded as the franchise quarterback. But Ponder doesn’t seem interested in that outcome.

“A trade would be difficult to deal with,” he said.

Asked about his confidence, Ponder said, “My confidence is high, which is a little surprising probably to people. I’ve gotten out here and slung the ball around pretty well.

“The past few years, you figure out where your confidence needs to lie, and sometimes it’s not on the football field; it’s more important things. And when that happens, it’s funny how your confidence on the field works out.”