Minnesotans should hold off on their plans to throw Christian Ponder a going-away party.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said Friday that he plans to keep Ponder in Minnesota in 2014.
Ponder "will be here" next season, Spielman said, per ESPN.com's Ben Goessling.
But the general manager noted he also must add at least two other quarterbacks, intimating one would be a young signal-caller.
Ponder appeared on his way out of Minnesota after a mediocre, injury-plagued third season.
New offensive coordinator Norv Turner has spoken kindly of Ponder. However, the 25-year-old quarterback doesn't exactly fit the type of vertical-passing scheme Turner generally employs.
Spielman added that the team's No. 8 overall draft pick won't necessarily be used on a quarterback.
"It's not going to be a forced issue," Spielman said, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Most critics would argue Spielman picked Ponder in the first place because he forced the issue in 2011.
The general manager also said he plans to talk with quarterback Matt Cassel's agent at next week's NFL Scouting Combine. Cassel outplayed Ponder last season but recently voided his contract with the Vikings. He could look for a more stable -- and lucrative -- spot to land.
The Vikings' atrocious quarterback situation is a main reason Leslie Frazier is no longer coaching in Minnesota. A large portion of that blame falls on Spielman, who drafted Ponder No. 12 overall. This time around, Spielman needs to get it right.
In the meantime, it seems he'll keep Ponder in his pocket.
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