Matt Cassel Named Vikings' Starting QB Over Teddy Bridgewater
Per Jay Glazer, Vikings players were told this morning that Matt Cassel will be the No. 1 QB, while rookie Teddy Bridgewater will start the season on the bench.
Cassell, a 10th-year vet who started last season as the Vikings' backup but turned out to be the only competent QB on staff, has been good this year in preseason, going 26 of 39 for 367 yards, two TDs, and an interception. Bridgewater, playing mainly with the second unit, is 26 of 40 for 266 yards, with four scores and no picks.
No reason to worry, though. The Vikings are reportedly still as high on Bridgewater as they ever were.
So Bridgewater will begin Week 1 on the sideline. As will Johnny Manziel, having lost the QB competition to Brian Hoyer, and Blake Bortles, who will sit despite having outplayed Chad Henne in Jacksonville.
Pro Football Talk notes that, barring disaster somewhere, this will be the first time since 2007—the year of JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn—that no rookie QB starts in Week 1.
Way Too Early 2026 NFL Head Coaching Cycle Predictions
Senators vs. Rangers Wednesday January 14th Betting Pick
Zac Taylor Somehow Survived Insane AFC North Shake Up
- Best NHL Bets Tonight: Three Picks for a Loaded January 13th Slate
- NBA Best Bets Monday: Jazz vs Cavaliers, Lakers vs Kings, Hornets vs Clippers
- Texans vs Steelers Wild Card Pick: Top Monday Night Football Playoff Predictions
- NBA Picks and Predictions for January 11th: Best Bets for Sunday
- NFL Playoff Sunday January 11th Picks: Top Wild Card Bets
- College Basketball Picks Today: Saturday January 10th Best Bets
- Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears NFL Playoffs Wild Card Betting Picks

