Shaun Hill Reportedly Named Vikings Starting QB vs. Titans: Comments, Reaction

With Sam Bradford racing against time to learn the team's playbook, the Minnesota Vikings gave Shaun Hill the nod in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the news on Friday, and ESPN.com backed it up. Rapoport noted on Sunday that "Bradford worked like crazy to be ready if needed."

On Sept. 3, the Vikings traded a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Bradford following Teddy Bridgewater's season-ending knee injury. It was a steep price, and general manager Rick Spielman told the MMQB's Peter King, "There was blood in the water, and teams knew it."

In a seller's market, the Vikings were always going to pay a premium for a veteran signal-caller.

With 36-year-old Hill under center in Week 1, it will be the Adrian Peterson show. Hill hasn't started a regular-season game since 2014, and before that, he went three seasons without starting. For his career, he's passed for 8,053 yards, 49 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Hill's experience in the offense was the deciding factor in the decision. 

Bradford is Minnesota's long-term option at quarterback this season and perhaps next year depending on Bridgewater's recovery, but he's not ready yet. A source told Anderson, "He is close. You can tell he is smart." 

"You know, I only know what we've put in the past two days or what they've taught me the past two days," Bradford said Monday, per Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. "As far as what percentage that is of the playbook, I don't know. I'm sure it's a very small percentage. I can say, with what we've done in the past few days, I feel pretty good with those."

Following the Titans game, Minnesota will play the Packers, Panthers, Giants and Texans. After a bye in Week 6, Minnesota will take on Bradford's former team, Philadelphia, on the road.