Coach Zimmer just announced that Matt Cassel will be the #Vikings starting QB. pic.twitter.com/l1OF5FVwQC
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 25, 2014
Matt Cassel’s performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday was enough to win him the starting quarterback job for the Vikings. He was 9 of 17 for 152 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the 30-12 preseason victory. His touchdown was a gorgeous 53-yard deep ball to rising star Cordarrelle Patterson.
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Mike Zimmer: "Matt did not do anything to lose the job this preseason. I think he's played great. The team has a lot of confidence in him.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 25, 2014
The expected decision to name Cassel the starter falls in line with Adrian Peterson’s opinion.
“Going off of understanding the offense and who’s running the offense better right now, you know, nothing to do with talent-wise, so that’s why Matt (is winning the competition),” Peterson told the Pioneer Press on Sunday.
Teddy Bridgewater, whose put together an impressive rookie preseason campaign, will be the backup to Cassel.
Coach Zimmer: "I told Teddy this morning that it was not anything he did or didn't do."
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 25, 2014
Bridgewater will join Johnny Manziel in Cleveland, Blake Bortles in Jacksonville as highly touted rookies expected to start the season on the bench. Pro Football Talk says this will mark the first time since 2007 a rookie quarterback hasn’t started Week One.
