That didn’t take long. Less than two hours after the NFL’s legal tampering period began, a report linking St. Louis Rams’ free agent quarterback Shaun Hill to the Minnesota Vikings emerged.
According to the Pioneer Press, "a Vikings official reached out to a representative of Hill’s." Vikings' former backup QB, Matt Cassel, will sign with Buffalo Bills when the free agency period officially begins. Hill is, apparently, a guy they’re eyeing as backup for Teddy Bridgewater.
If the Rams lose Hill in free agency, that leaves them with penciled-in starter Sam Bradford and Austin Davis. Rams’ head coach Jeff Fisher stated, immediately following the regular season finale, the team will bring in a QB to challenge for the starting position, but it’s been extremely quiet since.
The Rams haven’t really been linked to any particular player outside of their organization. The day, and the tampering period, are still young though. And let’s face it, there aren’t any free agent quarterbacks to get excited about. Barring a trade, it appears the Rams may look to the draft for answers at the QB position.
And if they weren’t, losing Shaun Hill in free agency might force them to.
*******
The Rams signed Hill [35] to a 1-year, $1.75mil deal prior to the 2014 season. He started 8 games last year, going 145 for 229, throwing for 1,657 yards, with 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He started the season-opener against the Vikings, but was replaced by Austin Davis to start the second half due to an apparent thigh injury. The Rams were held scoreless in the first half with Hill under center.