Christian Ponder Signs with Oakland Raiders

Free agent QB Christian Ponder has inked a deal with the Oakland Raiders. 

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Ponder Signs With Oakland

Friday, March 13

Just a few hours after meeting with the team, the Raiders announced they signed Ponder to a contract. 

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Ponder Visits Raiders

Friday, March 13

ESPN's Adam Caplan reported that the Oakland Raiders will be signing Ponder to a one-year deal. 

Mike Garafolo of FoxSports reported earlier today that Ponder was meeting with the team. 

Ponder, 27, was taken No. 12 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2011. Viewed as someone who could run the West Coast offense under then-head coach Leslie Frazier, Ponder's tenure instead became defined by his wild inconsistencies.

Ponder compiled 38 touchdowns against 36 interceptions in his four seasons with the Vikings, struggling in particular as a downfield passer. His 6.30 yards-per-attempt average is significantly below the league average, and he never topped seven yards per pop, which is generally considered the quarterback Mendoza Line. In 2012, Ponder's only full season as a starter, he was the least accurate deep passer in football, per Pro Football Reference.

The Vikings twice tried moving on, first trading for Matt Cassel and later drafting Teddy Bridgewater. The latter move paid off, as Bridgewater emerged as arguably the best in the 2014 quarterback class.

Ponder, who spent a good portion of the season as a third-stringer, attempted only 44 passes last year. He failed to record a touchdown and tossed two interceptions, all coming in an October start against the Green Bay Packers.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Derided by most Vikings fans as a bust, Ponder dealt with loud boos during the preseason and was the brunt of scorn in the Minnesota media. He said during a season-ending interview with Brian Hall of Fox Sports North that he hopes to take the experience with him to his next stop: 

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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, and again I'll remember all these times.

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At the very least, Ponder's next situation will have a lot less pressure. No team will consider making him a starter. It's likely he will enter camp battling for a job as a primary backup on a minimal contract. Heading into his age 27 season, Ponder isn't suddenly going to break out as a superstar thanks only to a change of scenery.

Proving himself in his next home won't be about becoming a franchise quarterback. It'll be about saving a career.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.