Sam Bradford benched: Hobbled Vikings quarterback replaced by Case Keenum

Sam Bradford was benched in favor of Case Keenum by the Vikings during Minnesota’s Week 5 game against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

Bradford’s benching wasn’t unrelated to injury; the oft-injured passer just did not look functional on the field. He was sacked five times in the first half, including once where he held the ball too long in his own end zone for a safety. Bradford exited the game 5 of 11 for 36 yards (3.3 average) and a 53.6 passer rating.

The Vikings started Bradford on Monday night for the first time since he started experiencing pain in his knee in Week 2. Bradford played really well in Week 1 but he missed the Vikings’ next three games before returning in Chicago.

It’ll never not be crazy to think about how the Philadelphia Eagles got a 2017 first-round pick (which became Derek Barnett) ... AND a 2018 fourth-round selection in exchange for Bradford. Incredible job by Howie Roseman on that one.

The Vikings’ ceiling is obviously limited with Keenum. The journeyman passer is 10-17 as a starter. Minnesota’s misfortune is Philadelphia’s gain for two main reasons: 1) the Vikings losing makes the fourth-round pick they owe the Eagles better and 2) it makes the Vikings less of a threat in the NFC playoff picture.

As for Sammy Sleeves, it sucks for him that he can’t stay healthy. It might be time for him to seriously consider retirement, which he reportedly did in the past.