On Aug. 30, 2016, as Teddy Bridgewater’s left knee gave way during the final practice of the Vikings’ preseason, the team’s window to build a contending roster with the luxury of a cheap quarterback met its end at least two years early.
The Vikings sent a first- and fourth-round pick to the Eagles for Sam Bradford four days later, taking on his $7 million deal for 2016 and $18 million contract for 2017 out of the belief they could keep a championship bid together with the right QB.
Bradford gave way to Case Keenum, and then to Kirk Cousins, as the Vikings kept doling out megadeals to their draft picks (largely on the defensive side of the ball) to hold the core of the roster together.