Is Bridgewater Done For?

[Lee Borgersen]

  Vikings still don't know if Bridgewater will ever play in NFL again.

 May 24, 2017 at 9:26 p.m.

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.—The Vikings released a video of Teddy Bridgewater throwing to teammates during organized team activities on Tuesday, but the team is still uncertain about whether the 2014 first-round draft pick will ever play in the NFL again.

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"This entire organization (is) just hoping that eventually he'll be able to come back on the field, but that's still the unknown," general manager Rick Spielman said Wednesday.

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Bridgewater, working his way back from a horrific knee injury, was not present for Wednesday's OTA session because of a rehabilitation appointment with a doctor, Spielman said. But, he added, the quarterback's progress has been "very encouraging."

Spielman said Bridgewater, who suffered a torn ACL and dislocated left knee in practice Aug. 30 and missed all of the 2016 season, is not cleared for full practice, and there is no timetable for when he will be.

"Part of the rehab process that you had seen (Tuesday) was that he is able to start dropping back and throwing the ball," Spielman said. "He's working extremely hard on his rehab, and we'll continue to monitor his progress as he goes."

Tuesday was Bridgewater's first session with teammates for the first time since he was injured in a non-contact drill. The Vikings posted the short video of Bridgewater throwing passes following the workout that was closed to the media.

Asked why the team sent out a video, Spielman said, "Because I knew it was going to be a question, 'Why is Teddy not at practice?' We wanted to at least put something out there to show that this is part of his rehab and part of his rehab program."

Spielman would not say what is next for Bridgewater in his rehab schedule and declined to speculate on whether the QB would be cleared to participate in training camp in late July.

"All I know is right now we're all focused, and Teddy is focused on rehabbing and getting ready as quickly as he can," Spielman said.

While the Bridgewater video created some commotion among fans and media, teammates had already been watching him throw during informal spring drills.

"That video, that's old news to us," said wide receiver Adam Thielen.

Bridgewater wore a heavy knee brace in the video.

"He's throwing with a lot of velocity," receiver Jarius Wright said. "He might have looked better (Tuesday) than the usual Teddy. I can tell he's definitely working on his arm strength, so he's throwing some passes a little harder."

Wright declined to speculate about whether Bridgewater could be ready by training camp.

"It's very encouraging (because) so many people are counting him out, so I'm just happy to have him back out here and proving a lot of people wrong so far," Wright said. "The sky's the limit for the guy. He's a hard worker, and I'm sure he'll bounce back."

Spielman offered few specifics about Bridgewater's Tuesday session, declining to even estimate how many passes he threw.

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Also missing practice Wednesday was defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, whose career is in jeopardy because of complications from knee surgery performed last fall. Safety Harrison Smith (ankle), running back Latavius Murray (ankle) and linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (undisclosed) were present but did not participate.

[Reinhard]

Thanks for the post.  It is nice to see Teddy out there at practice.  I don't think anyone thinks that he will play this year.  He is very talented and I wish him the best.  good luck.

[IA_Guy]

I know Teddy is a polarizing QB for a lot of vikes fans (is he or isn't he good, etc) but I have made it a point to Google him and do some internet research a couple times a week since his injury.

I think most of us can agree at times he was at least a decent QB but he is a STELLAR guy off the field.

http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/05/everyone-believes-teddy-bridgewater/

I hope he comes back but I wouldn't doubt if he doesnt. At this point I'm more invested/interested in the Bridgewater story than the Vikings as a team next year. Knowing my luck Bradford will lead them to 14-2 and be an NFL MVP and Spielman will toss Bridgewater like yesterday's garbage.

 

[Steve-o]

Spielman has a tough decision:  Pay Bradford top dollar or bet that Bridgewater's knee heals completely, that he is ready in 2018, and that he continues to grow as a QB.  Based on the Teddy's improvement since being drafted, a lot of people believe he has enough upside to be an elite quarterback in the NFL.  But if his knee won't hold up, none of that matters.

I think they will let Bradford finish the year before they consider a new contract.  If Teddy looks ready, they will let the older, more expensive Bradford walk away with thanks and appreciation.  If Teddy is NOT ready, they will have to over-pay for Bradford.  And if Bradford has a great season, over-paying for him wouldn't be the worst thing an NFL team could do.  Lots of teams over-pay for bad QBs.  But if they can't come to an agreement with Bradford, they would be back to square one looking for a QB.

[IA_Guy]

Agreed, Steve-o. My one intangible that puts Bridgewater over Bradford in my opinion, is that Bridgewater is still a young pup (one who may be slower to grow than some would like, but a pup all the same). Bradford is pretty much a full grown dog, you know what you get with him and it aint all that great. I'm not sure he has ever put together a real winning season and lets be honest, he was a disappointing #1 overall pick. Granted he's never had a stellar offense around him but in fairness neither has Teddy.  Id call Bradord a solid and consistent B quarterback. His breaking of the NFL single season completion percentage record is inflated, 90% of those passes were short dumps to RB's or a quick look but settling for the check down throw. (If I were Drew Brees Id be pissed he broke my record-Brees threw 74 and change %  completions and probably 1/3 of those were downfield bombs)

I would say before Bridgewaters injury, I would say Teddy was a B- average QB but on his best days (2015 against Arizona, Denver, GB, etc) he played at least B+/A- quarterback. But Teddy was a B- at 22/23 years old. Don't forget he played some of the top teams in the league to within an inch of their life his first full year as a starter. Denver and AZ we lost those games due to Teddy mistakes, but you can absolutely chalk that up to age. Under the right tutelage and in the right system he very well could have (and maybe still could) develop into an A quarterback. Never a Manning, Brady or Rodgers but better than a Bradford when he reaches that same age.

Teddy has the intangibles that Bradford just doesn't. Look at his Louisville career, I know college ball doesn't always translate to pro success, but Teddy came off the bench at Louisville as a true Sophomore with a broken wrist, a sprained ankle and a back injury, and overcame a 2+ possession deficit to clinch a Bowl game for Louisville. Crappy pro day be damned, I was stoked when we drafted him.

I am just very concerned Teddy will not get a fair shot to fight back. Zim is about as loyal as they come but I definitely can't say the same about Spielman. Also with Turner gone (a vocal Teddy fan), Shurmur has made a career with a firm grasp on the coattails of Bradford. The guy only has been in the NFL as long as he has because he has tried to convince every team hes been a part of that Bradford is the revolution. Biggest Sammy B cheerleader ever. No matter how Bradford plays or Bridgewater heals, you can bet Shurmur will be whispering in Spielmans ear that the best is yet to come. If Bradford really was the revolution we'd know by now. He's got some bad shakes, but 7 years in the league and not many accolades can't be explained as "bad luck." Truly exceptional QB's make their own luck. Which Teddy still might do...