For the first time in a few seasons the Minnesota Vikings do not have question marks at the quarterback position and after upgrades in free agency, the team has expectations heading into 2015. Teddy Bridgewater is the man in charge, but there are doubts as to who will be the talent surrounding him. After adding players like Mike Wallace to help the quarterback, the jury is still out on whether Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson will be joining him.
Bridgewater is well aware of the rumors surrounding Peterson and while the running back has yet to show up to voluntary practices, the quarterback is certain Peterson is the starting rusher in 2015.
"We expect Adrian to be here," Bridgewater said, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "The guys in the locker room, we all love Adrian. I stay away from talking about the guys' contracts and everything, because that's none of my personal business. But like I said, we expect him to be here this year."
The longer Peterson remains on the roster for the Vikings the less likely he is to be traded. According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, the Vikings want a first round pick for the running back and if a deal is not made by the first round the chances Peterson starts in Minnesota are very high. Everyone from general manager Rick Spielman to head coach Mike Zimmer have maintained they want Peterson around for the future and a trade might not be as guaranteed as many thought it once was.
The same can be said for Patterson. Many believed the Vikings were ready to move on from the wide receiver after two disappointing seasons. When Minnesota traded for Mike Wallace, Patterson seemed like a goner. However, the Vikings maintain their faith in the wide receiver and he confirmed to the media that it is a make-or-break season for him.
"This year is going to make me or break me, and I hope I step up and have a good role in this offense," Patterson said via the Pioneer Press. "Growing up, I was always athletic and could just do anything. I'm in the NFL now, so I just have to focus on my craft and just work at route running, getting in and getting out of breaks and stuff like that."
Doubt still surrounds Patterson and whether or not he can find his form in the NFL. According to ESPN the Vikings are a candidate to take a wide receiver in a middle round of the draft. The team could be in play for guys like DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong or Chris Conley depending on how the first round shakes out for skill position players.
