The Vikings made the playoffs for the first time in Brad Childress' three seasons as coach in 2008 and many consider them to be a postseason contender for 2009. However, that expectation could be upgraded to Super Bowl contender if they can find a quarterback. Childress made it clear after the season that the Vikings would examine all their options at the position and that Tarvaris Jackson wasn't being guaranteed anything for next season.
Meanwhile, veteran Gus Frerotte wasn't happy after spending much of the regular season as the Vikings starter but losing the job to Jackson near of the year because of a back injury. The Vikings certainly can't consider Frerotte a long-term solution - it's not certain if he will even be back -- and Jackson hasn't shown that he's starting material in his three seasons.
The Vikings' options are probably limited to the free-agent and trade markets. The top quarterbacks in the draft are Georgia's Matthew Stafford and USC's Mark Sanchez and both will be long gone when the Vikings pick at No. 22 comes up. Minnesota has been among the teams that have been rumored to have big-time interest in New England quarterback Matt Cassel, who has had the franchise tag placed on him by the Patriots but still could be traded. The free-agent market isn't all that attractive, with Tampa Bay veteran Jeff Garcia being one guy who is very familiar with the West Coast system that the Vikings run.
The real question when it comes to Cassel is how much the Vikings would be willing to give up? Remember, they traded their first-round pick and two third-round selections a year ago to get Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen from Kansas City. That trade worked out extremely well for the Vikings but vice president player personnel Rick Spielman is big on building through the draft and it's not certain if he will want to surrender first-round picks, and more, in consecutive seasons.
