INDIANAPOLIS — At last year’s NFL scouting combine, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was on a relentless search for a quarterback. Now, he can look back and laugh.

That’s because when last year’s combine started, many people were projecting Teddy Bridgewater as the No. 1 pick in the draft. After a disappointing pro day performance in March, he slid to the Vikings with the last pick in the first round, 32nd overall.

“I’m thankful the media did him a disservice, in my opinion, last year by judging him on his pro day,” Spielman said Wednesday during a break from the combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.

After Bridgewater’s impressive rookie season, the Vikings obviously aren’t looking as hard at quarterbacks this year. But Spielman said they are considering bringing in a young quarterback for the No. 3 spot if Christian Ponder “is not here.”

Ponder becomes a free agent next month and is unlikely to return. Ten-year veteran Matt Cassel remains under contract and signs point to him staying on as Bridgewater’s backup.

Cassel is under contract in 2015 for $4.75 million, but the Vikings can release him next month without any further financial obligation.

Spielman said every player must be evaluated in accordance with his contract.

“We assess all our guys, and Matt’s done a great job,” Spielman said. “He came in and has won some games when he had to play, and he’s a great locker room guy. Matt has a lot of value to us.”

Spielman said a more pressing need is at linebacker. Starting middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley will become a free agent, and outside linebacker Chad Greenway likely won’t return unless he agrees to accept less than the $7 million he is owed in 2015.

The Vikings have the No. 11 pick in the April 30-May 2 draft.

Linebacker is “an area we’ll look at,” Spielman said. “We’ll weigh in on that position. We’re very excited about where (2014 draftee) Anthony Barr is, but we want to continue to build in that area.”

Other Minnesota needs are at wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line and running back. Even if star Adrian Peterson returns after missing 15 games last season because of a child-abuse incident, the Vikings could draft a running back in a later round.

“This is one of the deepest running back classes I can remember in a while,” Spielman said.

Spielman said the draft also is deep at wide receiver and on the offensive line, and there is speculation Minnesota’s first-round pick will be the best remaining receiver among Amari Cooper of Alabama, Kevin White of West Virginia and DeVante Parker of Louisville.

Parker is intriguing because he played three seasons with Bridgewater. But Spielman said that wouldn’t necessarily improve his chances of playing in Minnesota.

“That has no influence on who we’re looking at,” Spielman said. “We’re going to look at who’s best for us, regardless.”

Among other topics Spielman addressed Wednesday:

— He said playing Pittsburgh in the Aug. 9 Hall of Fame Game will help give the Vikings an extra preseason game and week of practice. If not for the game, Spielman said, the Vikings would have spent two weeks of training camp in Mankato instead of three.

— He said it’s unlikely the Vikings will make a huge splash in free agency. “I don’t believe in going out and spending a huge amount of money in free agency unless it’s something unique.”

— He plans to meet this week with Cordarrelle Patterson’s agent, Joby Branion. Spielman is confident the wide receiver can regain the form he had as a rookie in 2013 following a disappointing 2014. Patterson has begun offseason workouts in California.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.