Christian Ponder walked out of Winter Park likely for the last time in his career. He's not closing the door on returning, but Ponder was realistic about the quarterback situation as he packed up his locker after four seasons with the Vikings.
The unrestricted free agent likely won't return with the Vikings already having their future quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, and a veteran, Matt Cassel, returning next season.
"The emotional part is saying goodbye to a lot of people," Ponder said. "I feel like I've built some great relationships with people the past four years, and this has been my comfort and a place I've called home. So it's tough to leave, but I'm excited about new beginnings."
Ponder said he has prepared for this moment once the Vikings traded up to get Bridgewater with the final pick in the first round and chose not to exercise his fifth-year option in the offseason. The 12th overall pick in 2011 never developed into the franchise quarterback the Vikings hoped due to inconsistent play.
"It was an interesting one," Ponder said. "It was up and down for sure. It was a dream come true for me to be able to get drafted and play, and I want to thank Zygi [Wilf] and the whole Wilf family and Rick [Spielman] for giving me that chance. I enjoyed it. There were times that weren't as enjoyable, but overall it was fun and I'll remember my times here.
"I learned to deal with adversity. I felt like I matured a lot the last four years. I felt like I've grown up as a man and a football player. The adversity's tough, but you've got to be thankful for it because it helps you out. And it has been helpful, and it's going to be help me in the long run in my football career and being a father and a husband."
Ponder hasn't looked around yet to see what teams need a quarterback heading into the offseason, but he said he'll look for a good team and a chance to compete for a starting job in free agency.
"If not an opportunity to compete for a starting job, an opportunity to learn and be a good backup in a good situation," Ponder said. "And a good quarterback room and a good place to live. I've got to talk to my wife — my daughter doesn't talk yet so she's not going to have much input — but we'll find a good place that we're going to enjoy living and we'll have to weigh our options."
