Updated Vikings roster prediction after first preseason game

Quarterback

QB: Sam Bradford, Case Keenum 

PUP: Teddy Bridgewater 

The Vikings struggled on offense against the Bills, especially the first team. Playing three drives, Sam Bradford didn’t seem comfortable at all given the subpar offensive line play as he was sacked twice and pressured multiple times. He still completed 5 of 7 passes, but only for 35 yards.

Unquestionably, Bradford holds the starting quarterback job with the backup spot up for grabs. After the first game, Case Keenum has separated himself from Taylor Heinicke. Keenum showed poise in the pocket as well as good mobility to get away from pressure. He went 11-for-16 for 121 yards and a touchdown, the first of two for the Vikings.

On the other hand, Heinicke looked shaky coming in for Keenum in the third quarter. Rolling out on a play early in the fourth quarter, Heinicke forced a ball to tight end Nick Truesdell that went right to Bills safety Joe Powell for an interception. Aside from that dismal play, Heinicke’s accuracy wasn’t great finishing 3-for-8 for 20 yards.

To Heinicke’s credit, he led one touchdown drive that he kept alive after a bad snap by rookie center Pat Elflein on a 3rd and 1. On the play, he picked the ball up right away and rushed to the sidelines for a gain of 19. He finished the drive off with a 2-yard touchdown to Rodney Adams.

For now, the Vikings keep two quarterbacks, Bradford and Keenum, with Bridgewater on the PUP. There’s still time for Heinicke to win the backup job, but he has catching up to do. The Vikings could keep three quarterbacks, but if Heinicke doesn’t show potential in the preseason, I don’t see the point.