Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder to be cut/traded by Oakland Raiders
I have nothing against the Oakland Raiders, but let’s just say that I don’t regularly check in with what’s going on out there in the bay area. Then I saw Christian Ponder’s name in the headlines and I figured I should check it out.
It looks like Ponder will be cut or traded from the Oakland Raiders in the team’s efforts to get to the roster limit by the end of Saturday, according to NFL.com’s Around the NFL.
Yes, a trade looks to still be a possibility for Ponder. Multiple reports are floating out there in NFL land that the Philadelphia Eagles are interested in the former Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick. The Eagles have interest in Ponder after trading away Matt Barkley to the Arizona Cardinals on Friday and then, somewhat surprisingly, cutting Tim Tebow on Saturday morning.
This is Ponder’s first NFL season away from the Minnesota Vikings. Ponder started 36 games over the course of four seasons with the Vikings and threw for 38 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
More from Minnesota Vikings
- Kyle Rudolph signing gives stability to Minnesota Vikings offense
- Kirk Cousins: More wins with fewer turnovers
- Minnesota Vikings Kyle Rudolph Conundrum
- Minnesota Vikings: how the Vikings can upset the Patriots
- Minnesota Vikings: Xavier Rhodes could be difference-maker versus Lions
Ponder was never given a great chance to succeed with the purple, but, at least to an outsider, seemed to be a pretty decent fit in Oakland. Ponder was not expected to start, but instead be a backup to Derek Carr for the Raiders. Ponder could not even beat out Matt McGloin for that job.
Personally, I think that Ponder could still be a serviceable backup in the NFL. Ponder is a decent QB when he doesn’t have to think and can just go out on the field and play football. That’s good enough for a backup QB. He’s got some skill there.
Either way, it looks like Ponder is on the outs in Oakland, but the next destination is not yet known.
Next: The Vikings have made a trade!