Professional career Christian Ponder

1 professional career

1.1 minnesota vikings
1.2 2011 season
1.3 2012 season
1.4 2013 season
1.5 2014 season
1.6 oakland raiders
1.7 denver broncos
1.8 san francisco 49ers
1.9 2017 season
1.10 statistics
1.11 minnesota vikings franchise records

professional career

minnesota vikings
2011 season

christian ponder @ ford field in detroit in 2012.

ponder selected 12th overall minnesota vikings in first round of 2011 nfl draft. ponder fourth quarterback selected in draft behind cam newton, jake locker, , blaine gabbert. ponder did not have typical rookie offseason following draft due 2011 nfl lockout. late in july, vikings traded veteran quarterback donovan mcnabb start , mentor ponder. 3 days after mcnabb trade, ponder agreed terms vikings on rookie contract included $10 million guaranteed. ponder embraced competition mcnabb. guy deserves starting job. s been in league while, ponder said of mcnabb. mentality able go in , compete , try job him. deserves starting quarterback. somewhere down road m going push take on , ll see. ponder announced @ introduction press conference intended wear jersey number 7 in nfl.

following disastrous start season vikings under mcnabb, ponder made nfl debut against chicago bears in fourth quarter on october 16, 2011. in game vikings blown out 39-10, ponder completed 9 of 17 passes 99 yards in first real action. announced on tuesday, october 18, make first start following sunday against green bay packers replacing mcnabb starter. on ponder s first career pass attempt starter hit michael jenkins on 72-yard playaction pass. 2 plays later, threw first career touchdown completing short pass visanthe shiancoe. ponder helped 1-5 vikings give undefeated packers close game , finished 13 of 32 219 yards 2 touchdowns , 2 interceptions in 27-33 loss.

ponder able first win nfl starting quarterback following week against fellow 2011 draft mate cam newton , carolina panthers on october 30, 2011. threw 236 yards , touchdown, , had passer rating of 102.7. after bye week, vikings faced off against packers again, time on monday night football @ lambeau field. ponder didn t perform did in first game against green bay, , vikings blown out 7-45.

ponder finished out next 7 games ups , downs. threw 2 touchdowns 3 interceptions against oakland raiders in losing effort. after loss on road falcons, team played home game against denver broncos. ponder threw 3 touchdowns , set vikings rookie record 381 yards passing. ponder threw crucial interception late in fourth quarter set tim tebow , broncos game-winning drive. next week, ponder injured in game against rival detroit lions @ ford field, in backup quarterback joe webb brought minnesota victory after ponder threw 2 interceptions earlier in game. after home blowout loss nfc south champion new orleans saints, ponder injured in each of final 2 regular season games, @ washington redskins , in season finale against chicago bears. ponder finished season throwing 13 touchdown passes , 13 interceptions, compiling 2-8 record starter vikings finished 3-13 second time in franchise history.

2012 season

during 2012 offseason, many analysts including kc joyner of espn, believed ponder have breakout year in 2012. joyner cited vikings lack of talent around him reason why ponder didn t reach full potential in 2011.

the vikings opened 2012 season @ home against jacksonville jaguars. trailing 14 seconds left in game, ponder completed 26-yard pass devin aromashodu, followed 6-yard pass kyle rudolph. 2 passes set game-tying blair walsh field goal send game overtime, vikings prevailed. after game, vikings head coach leslie frazier spoke positively ponder s end regulation. that’s league made of—quarterbacks can take down in last 2 minutes of game,” frazier said.

following close week 2 loss in indianapolis, vikings returned home underdog playing san francisco 49ers. ponder had arguably best game of career point, completing 21 of 35 passes 198 yards, 2 touchdowns, , rushing touchdown on 23-yard run. vikings won game 24-13 , ponder drew praise nfl analysts. excels @ buying time while keeping eyes downfield until weapons uncover. has done fantastic job protecting football, , has yet throw interception season. there aren t ton of playmaking quarterbacks protect football. fortunately vikings, seem have one, nfl media analyst daniel jeremiah said after performance.

through 4 games, vikings 3-1, equaling win total previous year. ponder led nfl in completion percentage during month of september 68% , last quarterback in nfl turn ball over. vikings surprise many around league 5-2 record. ponder struggle on next 5 games , vikings lost 4 of five. during stretch, ponder s completion percentage fell 56%, threw same number of interceptions (5) did touchdowns on 5 games. vikings general manager rick spielman stood behind ponder during rough patch of games. “i know in organization believes christian ponder our guy,” spielman said, via tom pelissero of 1500espn.com. “and have full, 100 percent belief christian ponder’s going our quarterback heading future.”

in fourth of losses, ponder struggled mightily @ lambeau field in game against packers on december 2. in game running adrian peterson rushed 210 yards, vikings weren t able overcome 2 interceptions ponder on potential scoring drives. m disappointed in myself. m more disappointed let down veteran guys...i ve had way many turnovers since stepped on field in vikings uniform, ponder said after loss.

the vikings stood @ 6-6 , still in playoff picture. minnesota first won home game against chicago on december 9 , victorious in st. louis following week, game included ponder rushing touchdown give vikings lead. next week, vikings traveled houston play 12-2 texans. going game underdogs, vikings defense stifled texans offense holding them 6 points. ponder led vikings offense 23 points, including touchdown throw kyle rudolph. added 48 yards rushing on ground, vikings controlled game. after game, ponder turned final game of regular season. have big 1 next week, , if don t win one, 1 doesn t mean anything. our no. 1 goal make playoffs. ponder said

in regular season finale, vikings hosted division champion packers. if vikings won game, earn wildcard berth, if lost, division rival chicago bears earn final playoff spot. in addition 197 rushing yards peterson, ponder threw 3 touchdown passes , posted career-high rating of 120.2. after jumping out 13-0 first half lead, packers able make comeback on vikings. game tied @ 27 in fourth quarter, ponder completed season long 65-yard pass jarius wright, set third touchdown pass of game. after taking criticism during struggles through year, ponder joked media after game didn t have arm strength make throw, did anyway. on game s final drive, score tied @ 34, ponder threw 25-yard completion michael jenkins on third-down, helped set game-winning field goal , stopped packers getting ball back. win put vikings playoffs , cost packers first-round bye. ponder s total qbr 12 points higher packers quarterback aaron rodgers game, according espn s system. game s result set rematch between 2 teams following week open playoffs.

however, ponder forced miss playoff game 6 days later, due deep triceps bruise suffered during first half of previous game. despite, being able finish week 17 game, ponder stated arm wasn t capable of making necessary throws. backup, joe webb, hadn t played quarterback snap season, took place. vikings lost 24-10 in lambeau field.

the regular season deemed success vikings. team had largest turnaround in team history going 3 wins 10. adrian peterson named league s mvp rushing 2,097 yards, 9 yards short of breaking single-season rushing record. ponder finished season starting 16 games, throwing 18 touchdowns 12 interceptions, completed 62% of passes, , had 2 rushing scores. according espn s total qbr system, ponder finished league 15th rated quarterback ahead of former pro bowlers jay cutler, josh freeman, , matt cassel.

2013 season

ponder went 2013 season starting quarterback. however, vikings started 0-3 , ponder performed inconsistently in losses @ detroit, @ chicago, , home cleveland. despite criticism media , fans, defended ponder. following week 2 game, chicago bears cornerback charles tillman spoke of how impressed ponder s play. respect level has gone tremendously ponder, tillman said. did great things out there. during home loss cleveland in week three, ponder booed vikings fans chanted backup quarterback matt cassel. following game, adrian peterson stuck ponder calling boos unfair. got back. scored 2 touchdowns , kept in game, peterson said.

ponder miss week 4 game against pittsburgh played in london due rib injury sustained during cleveland game, when team doctors wouldn t let him play because concerned of fractured rib being close heart. cassel led vikings first win of season, following team s bye week struggled badly in home loss carolina.

in midst of cassel taking on injured ponder, vikings signed josh freeman , thrust him starting role less 2 weeks after being signed. on monday night football game, vikings scored 0 points offensively in loss giants freeman performed worse both ponder , cassel had point. not did freeman perform poorly, suffered concussion opening door ponder return starting lineup.

ponder said going play more loosely, adding had been benched had nothing lose, attitude carried forward started next 6 games vikings. ponder showed improvements on start of season completed 67% of passes, threw 5 touchdowns, rushed 2 touchdowns, , had quarterback rating of 86.5. final start of season came on december 1, when ponder forced leave game against bears due concussion. cassel finished game leading vikings win , started final 4 games of season. in total, vikings finished season 5-10-1 , ponder went 2-6-1 starter.

2014 season

following disappointing 2013 season, ponder s future vikings fell in doubt. vikings obtaining new coaching staff , having drafted notable quarterback prospect teddy bridgewater in 2014 nfl draft, ponder rendered third-string quarterback. despite this, ponder stated wished stay vikings, stating had learned lot new offensive coordinator norv turner. during preseason ponder booed vikings fans in home preseason game, many in organization, including new head coach mike zimmer , receiver greg jennings stuck him. boo 1 of us, boo of us, jennings quoted saying.

after being inactive first 3 games of regular season third stringer, ponder moved depth chart after cassel placed on injured reserve after foot injury, while rookie bridgewater served starter remainder of season.

on september 28, ponder saw first regular season action filling in bridgewater when injured ankle late in first career start, 41–28 win on atlanta falcons. ponder little more hand ball off rookie running jerick mckinnon vikings preserved , added lead in game. fans in attendance had booed ponder, cheered name had changed teddy earlier in game.

four days later, ponder lone start of season when bridgewater ruled out hours before thursday night football game against green bay packers. game went downhill vikings , ponder, struggled on offense , threw 2 interceptions in second quarter led packers touchdowns en route 28–0 halftime deficit. ponder pick pace after half , spearhead pair of vikings scoring drives, including running vikings lone touchdown in 42–10 loss. following game, ponder told media game embarrassing , difficult because did not know when chance play. bridgewater healthy, ponder remained backup rest of season did not appear in game vikings.

because vikings chose not extend fifth year option ponder, became unrestricted free agent @ end of season. accrued 14–21–1 record starter vikings, having started majority of games them 2011 2013.

as of 2016 season, ponder eighth in vikings history in quarterback yards , 10th in passing touchdowns. holds multiple rookie quarterback records franchise.

oakland raiders

on march 13, 2015, ponder signed oakland raiders on one-year contract included $1.5 million signing bonus. in oakland, reunited offensive coordinator bill musgrave, coordinated offense on vikings during ponder s first 3 seasons minnesota. ponder entered training camp playing oakland s second team offense behind starter derek carr ahead of matt mcgloin.

during preseason, ponder returned minnesota in game booed vikings fans. ponder finished game 7 11 69 yards. following preseason, raiders released ponder in favor of having mcgloin backup carr season.

following release oakland, ponder generated interest philadelphia eagles not signed. ponder had conversations returning oakland after first regular season game once carr injured, once injury proven not serious, oakland opted not sign him. during regular season, ponder worked out dallas cowboys in september , tennessee titans on november 3 again went unsigned.

denver broncos

on november 25, 2015, ponder signed denver broncos third-string quarterback, while peyton manning nursed injuries. ponder grew broncos fan , flew out denver week of thanksgiving sign them, once broncos called him. ponder inactive games against new england , san diego learned playbook waived on december 8 before ever being active game.

a week after being waived denver, ponder generated interest cincinnati bengals, went unsigned season came conclusion. in total, ponder spent 2015 season on 2 different teams, worked out 2 others , received interest @ least 2 more teams.

san francisco 49ers

on august 16, 2016, ponder signed san francisco 49ers on one-year deal following season-ending injury thad lewis , unknown health status of colin kaepernick. contract worth $800,000 , includes no signing bonus or guarantees. ponder had worked out cardinals days before 49ers called him. after signing 49ers, ponder s wife revealed on instagram account ponder had turned down other nfl jobs sake of family.

on october 7, 2016, reported after bad play starting quarterback blaine gabbert, several teammates believed ponder should start. ponder active backup quarterback final 3 games of season, backup colin kaepernick, took on gabbert. ponder did not make appearance in of games. head coach chip kelly said ponder s performance in practice led him being in uniform.

throughout season, there speculation teammates , members of front office wanted ponder play. ponder s contract not renewed following firing of general manager trent baalke.

2017 season

in may, reported seattle considering signing ponder backup russell wilson, though team signed austin davis. in august, reported dolphins had interest in ponder, had jay cutler not signed them following season-ending loss starter ryan tannehill.

statistics

minnesota vikings franchise records

most passing yards in game rookie: 381 (december 4, 2011)




^ historical nfl wonderlic scores . wonderlictestsample.com. archived original on september 2, 2016. retrieved september 2, 2016. cs1 maint: bot: original-url status unknown (link)
^ christian ponder . nfldraftscout.com. archived original on 2011-03-02. retrieved 2011-04-26. 
^ farrar, doug (2011-07-28). christian ponder goes minnesota vikings 12th pick in nfl draft - shutdown corner - nfl blog - yahoo! sports . sports.yahoo.com. retrieved 2011-08-01. 
^ source: vikings, redskins finalize mcnabb trade . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings, 1st-round pick ponder agree contract . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ ponder / frazier presser - 4/29 . vikings.com. archived original on may 3, 2011. retrieved 2011-08-01. 
^ vikings vs. bears - game recap - october 16, 2011 - espn . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ wiederer, dan. report: christian ponder named vikings starter sunday . startribune.com. retrieved 2012-09-30. 
^ christian ponder - minnesota vikings - 2012 player profile . rotoworld.com. retrieved 2012-09-30. 
^ minnesota vikings | 2011 - regular season week no. 8 - @ carolina panthers . vikings.com. 2012-09-23. retrieved 2012-09-30. 
^ http://insider.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/7964142/nfl-christian-ponder-brandon-weeden-potential-breakout-qbs-2015 . espn insider.  external link in |title= (help); missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
^ vikings report: christian ponder building more credibility . sporting news. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ week 3: cardinals, falcons soar; vikings christian ponder gem . nfl.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ christian ponder career game log | pro-football-reference.com . pro-football-reference.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings gm spielman: ponder our guy . retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ christian ponder: man on island . star tribune. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings vs. rams - game recap - december 16, 2012 - espn . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings vs. texans - game recap - december 23, 2012 - espn . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ ponder presser - packers postgame . www.vikings.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ packers vs. vikings - game recap - december 30, 2012 - espn . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ christian ponder (tricep) inactive . espn. retrieved 6 january 2013. 
^ 2012 nfl player passing stats - national football league - espn . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ nfl total quarterback rating - national football league - espn . espn.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings ponder has fan in bears tillman . daily herald. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings adrian peterson calls boos directed @ ponder unfair . twincities.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ christian ponder has fracture rib near heart . fansided. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ josh freeman fed wolves in predictably poor vikings performance . si.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ josh freeman has concussion; christian ponder @ qb? . nfl.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ christian ponder career game log | pro-football-reference.com . pro-football-reference.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings christian ponder knocked out concussion . twincities.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ vikings qb christian ponder on fans booing him: hear it. hears it. . chris tomasson. twincities.com. 
^ vikingupdate.com on twitter . twitter. retrieved 2016-04-08. 
^ ponder: s embarrassing play . www.vikings.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ raiders sign qb christian ponder . raiders.com. retrieved 13 march 2015. 
^ christian ponder . spotrac.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ had expected, christian ponder gets booed in minnesota return - vikings . twincities.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ christian ponder released oakland raiders . nfl.com. 2015-09-05. retrieved 2015-12-24. 
^ report: eagles interested in christian ponder after tim tebow cut . cbssports.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ report: raiders reach out christian ponder carr injured . retrieved 2016-04-08. 
^ cowboys work out qbs: christian ponder, matt flynn, josh johnson . www.dallasnews.com. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ aaron wilson on twitter . twitter. retrieved 2015-11-04. 
^ hanzus, dan (november 25, 2015). broncos signing christian ponder peyton sidelined . nfl.com. retrieved november 25, 2015. 
^ broncos fan christian ponder dropped join broncos . retrieved 2016-04-08. 
^ broncos drop christian ponder . retrieved 2016-01-01. 
^ 49ers sign qb christian ponder; place thad lewis on injured reserve . 49ers.com. august 16, 2016. retrieved august 16, 2016. 
^ vensel, matt. christian ponder s one-year deal 49ers $800,000 , includes no signing bonus or guarantees . 
^ christian ponder hoping catch 49ers . 
^ instagram post sam ponder • aug 17, 2016 @ 3:05am utc . instagram. 
^ chiari, mike. christian ponder reportedly has support replace blaine gabbert 49ers qb . 
^ chip kelly: christian ponder promotion based on practice . 
^ terrible pun aside: 49ers pondering change @ quarterback . 16 december 2016. 
^ report: seahawks considered blaine gabbert, christian ponder . 
^ king, peter. peter king s monday morning qb: rodgers , cutler . 
^ vikings pr follow @vikingspr follow @vikings. vikings-redskins game notes . vikings.com. retrieved 2015-12-24.