Minnesota Vikings could start Teddy Bridgewater at some point in 2014 season

Teddy Bridgewater was drafted by a team with two former starting quarterbacks under contract in Minnesota. (Elsa/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings traded back into the first round of the 2014 NFL draft to select Teddy Bridgewater, and with the former Louisville quarterback set to begin his professional career, the next questions following him north will concern whether or not he will be ready to contribute from Day One.

Minnesota currently has veterans Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder under contract, so the team has no reason to rush a rookie into the starting role in 2014.

However, if Bridgewater comes in and has a strong camp, his Vikings debut could come sooner rather than later. Head coach Mike Zimmer has not ruled out the possibility that Bridgewater could start at some point in his rookie season.

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"Teddy will play when we feel like he's ready, if he's the best guy, which we hope that he will be," Zimmer said, via The Star Tribune. "We always want to have competition."

While the Vikings are taking the approach that Bridgewater will not be forced to start right away, it would be a surprise if they stuck with Cassel all season over Bridgewater, whose first-round selection has fans believing they may finally have their quarterback of the future after a tumultuous few years at the position.