The Minnesota Vikings aren’t revealing their starting quarterback for Sunday night, and the Green Bay Packers are preparing for both Shaun Hill and Sam Bradford, but head coach Mike McCarthy has an idea who the Vikings will likely start under center.
It’s the guy Minnesota traded two high picks for less than two weeks ago.
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he expects Vikings to start Sam Bradford to start Sunday night, but also preparing for Shaun Hill.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 14, 2016
The Vikings started Hill in Week 1, and the veteran was good enough (18-of-33 for 236 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions) for Minnesota to escape Tennessee with a win. But the Vikings didn’t sent a first- and fourth-round pick to Philadelphia for Bradford to be a backup, and Week 2’s showdown with the Packers—which will mark the regular season debut of U.S. Bank Stadium—figures to be one of the biggest nights for the franchise in recent memory.
Bradford hasn’t had much time to prepare for such a momentous game. Expected to start for the Eagles in Week 1, Bradford found himself learning a new offense and meeting new teammates a week before the regular season opener.
It will now be on the Vikings to decide if Bradford is ready to start against the Packers with roughly two weeks of practice with his new team.
The Packers are preparing for both quarterbacks, with an expectation that Minnesota goes with Bradford. Given the investment and the magnitude of Sunday night’s game, Green Bay’s bet is likely a good one.
