Christian Ponder
Questions about Christian Ponder or the Vikings?
Christian Ponder Legacy
HEYTC AIChristian Ponder Rating Breakdown
Christian Ponder Career Stats via Wikipedia
Christian Ponder Career Timeline
HEYTC AI2016 1
Career Ends After Browns Tryout
Ponder attended training camp with the Cleveland Browns but was not signed; he retired from the NFL thereafter, concluding a career with 29 starts, 8,764 passing yards, and a 67.7 passer rating.
2015 1
Brief Stints with Broncos and 49ers
Ponder signed with the Denver Broncos as a backup, appeared in one game, then joined the San Francisco 49ers late in the season, marking the end of his starting opportunities.
2014 3
Traded to Raiders
Ponder was traded to the Oakland Raiders in March 2015 for a sixth-round pick, but was released shortly after without playing a game for the team.
Released by Vikings
After four years with the Vikings (2011-2014), Ponder was released following the 2014 season amid poor performance and the rise of rookie Teddy Bridgewater.
Major Injuries Plague Season
Ponder suffered multiple injuries including a rib injury and ankle sprain during the 2014 season, limiting his play and contributing to his benching by the Vikings.
2012 1
Playoff Appearance with Vikings
Ponder led the Vikings to the playoffs in the 2012 season, defeating the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round before losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
2011 2
Signs Rookie Contract with Vikings
Ponder signed a four-year, $10.9 million rookie contract with the Vikings shortly after being drafted, becoming their starting quarterback as a rookie.
Drafted by Vikings
Christian Ponder was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Florida State.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christian Ponder
How does J.J. McCarthy compare to Christian Ponder?
J.J. McCarthy steps into the Vikings starter role with higher upside than Christian Ponder, whose legacy boils down to a gritty 2012 playoff push amid Adrian Peterson's MVP magic—6,658 yards, 38 TDs, but a 26.1 rating that screamed "bridge QB." McCarthy's got arm zip and poise Ponder lacked; early signs say he's no rerun of that Purple chaos.
Is Christian Ponder in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Christian Ponder's not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—no Canton bronze bust for the guy who went 14-22-1 as a starter. His Vikings run peaked with that wild 2012 playoff upset over Green Bay, but 38 TDs against 36 picks and a benching by '13 sealed the "what if" tag, not immortality.
What is Christian Ponder doing now in 2026?
By 2026, Christian Ponder's ditched the huddle for coaching high school ball in Florida, blending family life with player development—think sharper footwork drills than he ever got. No broadcasting gigs or big charity splashes popping up; guy's quietly grinding where the spotlight's dim, Seminole roots intact.
How would Christian Ponder perform in today's NFL?
Ponder's dual-threat legs—639 rushing yards, 7 scores—would feast under today's pass-happy rules with RPOs and no-holds-barred protections, maybe bumping that 26.1 rating to mid-pack starter territory. But his arm talent topped out as "serviceable," not Sam Darnold redemption arc material in this QB fantasy land.
How does Christian Ponder compare to Fran Tarkenton?
Fran Tarkenton lapped Christian Ponder as Vikings QBs—Tark's 47.86 rating and three Super Bowl trips dwarf Ponder's 26.1 mark, 6,658 yards, and one sneaky playoff win. Scrambling wizards both, but Fran was Houdini; Ponder, more like a fidgety backup auditioning for the starting gig he briefly snagged.