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The Minnesota Vikings spent the 12th overall pick in last year’s NFL draft on Christian Ponder with the idea that he’s going to be their franchise quarterback for years to come, and nothing that happened in Ponder’s rookie season will change that.

Rick Spielman, who was recently promoted to General Manager of the Vikings, confirmed on today’s PFT Live that the Vikings still view Ponder as their No. 1 quarterback.

“He’s going to be our starting quarterback when everyone is back for OTAs,” Spielman said of Ponder.

That matches what Ponder said on today’s Dan Patrick Show: He’s been assured that the Vikings will use the third overall pick in the NFL draft on a position other than quarterback.

“I talked to our G.M. yesterday, and we had some conversations about who we’re thinking about drafting, and we’ll see,” Ponder said. “I kind of have an idea.”

Baylor’s Robert Griffin III may be available with the third overall pick, but if he is, the Vikings will pass or trade down. They view Ponder as their guy.