The Minnesota Vikings will reportedly start Shaun Hill in Week 1 when they take on the Tennessee Titans, with Sam Bradford being there in case of emergency, per Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
Bradford could potentially play in Week 2 when the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in their shiny new stadium.
“The tentative plan heading into Monday’s practice is to start Shaun Hill in the Sept. 11 season opener at Tennessee. Bradford will be armed with a simplified portion of the offense in case Hill is injured. After that, the coaches will huddle to discuss starting Bradford in the Week 2 home opener against the Packers on Sunday Night Football.”
Fans worried about Bradford’s learning curve will be happy to know he’s familiar with much of the terminology in offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s system. As pointed out by Arif Hasan of The Daily Norseman, Brian Schottenheimer, who coached Bradford in St. Louis, utilized the same language in his system.
Additionally, as we discussed previously, tight end coach Pat Shurmur coached Bradford in St. Louis and Philadelphia.
With that in mind, the Shaun Hill era will be short lived. Bradford will take over as soon as he’s able. The Vikings wouldn’t have given up next year’s first-round pick just in case Hill struggles or gets injured.
When healthy, there is no doubt Bradford possesses the skill to run an efficient and dangerous passing attack. If he can catch up quickly to what Turner and the Vikings are doing, he’ll be slinging the ball to the likes of Laquon Treadwell and Stefon Diggs in no time.