The Minnesota Vikings have converted quarterback Joe Webb into wide receiver Joe Webb, according to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune. Webb, entering his fourth year in the NFL, has played quarterback in the pros since being drafted by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Vikings convert Joe Webb from QB to WR
The Minnesota Vikings have switched backup quarterback Joe Webb to wide receiver after the signing of Matt Cassel.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Webb played receiver during his sophomore year in college, and caught passes during his rookie minicamp in the NFL, but has spent much of his time trying to make a dent as a quarterback. He played in five games in his rookie season and threw for 477 yards, completing 60.7 percent of his passes, but he failed to seal the deal, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
In 2011, Webb threw for 376 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He spent both seasons as a backup. Last year, he did not see any action.
The Vikings don't need Webb to play quarterback at this point, as the team signed Matt Cassel to be the primary backup behind Christian Ponder. The line of thinking here is that Webb is too athletic to just sit on the bench as the No. 3 quarterback option, and the team could use him in many different ways.
Webb should be able to contribute on special teams, and if his hands prove good enough, he could even show up on the wide receiver depth chart. That very depth chart was revamped this offseason, as Percy Harvin was traded to the Seattle Seahawks and Cordarrelle Patterson was drafted in the first round.
Greg Jennings was also signed in free agency, and with guys like Stephen Burton and Jerome Simpson on the depth chart, it will be an uphill climb for Webb.
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