Vikings return to work with new quarterback

The Vikings return to work Monday morning from their bye week. Few would have guessed under these circumstances, though.

The team signed free agent quarterback Josh Freeman to a one-year contract worth $3 million late Sunday night and he is expected to arrive in the Twin Cities sometime today. Not sure if he will make it in time to participate in practice, which starts at 10:50 a.m. central.

This move obviously brings many questions about their suddenly crowded quarterback position and hopefully we'll get some clarity when Coach Leslie Frazier meets with reporters after practice.

Freeman must get up to speed with the offense, which would make it difficult for him to start Sunday against Carolina. Matt Cassel still seems like the logical choice to start because he played well in relief of Christian Ponder against Pittsburgh in guiding the Vikings to their first victory.

The Vikings were hopeful last week that Ponder will be able to practice this week after missing the London game because of a fractured rib.

It will be interesting to see how the Vikings frame Ponder's future in their public comments. The fact that they were aggressive in pursuing Freeman indicates that Ponder's tenure is nearly over. And regardless of what is said publicly, Freeman is clearly coming here with the intention of being the starter.