Minnesota Vikings: Bridgewater Predicted to Unseat Bradford
By Erik Lambert
The days right before training camp are often a great time for bold predictions, and the Minnesota Vikings just got a big one sent their way.
They might have the most interesting and overlooked quarterback battle developing in the NFL. Sam Bradford is coming off the best season of his career, completing 71% of his passes with 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Considering he did that despite a midseason change at offensive coordinator makes it even more impressive. At the same time, some eyes have shifted to the return of Teddy Bridgewater from that devastating knee injury a year ago.
Many still feel he’s the man who can lead the Vikings to their first Super Bowl since 1976. It appeared like things were headed that way before he went down. Coaches, teammates and fans were believing. Now no one is sure. Save maybe for Eliot Harrison of NFL.com. He believes a possibility exists Bridgewater could somehow unseat Bradford before 2017 ends.
"“Unrealistic? Maybe. For Bridgewater to get in on more than just a few garbage-time plays in Week 17, 1) his knee would have to be strong enough to allow him to do more than simply drop back and throw (as he did in minicamp), and 2) Sam Bradford would have to be pulled for one reason or another. The former seems likely, but the latter does not.The Vikings should be in the wild-card race at least through December, meaning Bradford will be in the lineup, barring unforeseen circumstances (like, say, Bradford stinking up the joint). OK, so what’s this prediction doing here, then? Well, if Minnesota is to make an informed decision for 2018 at the quarterback position, don’t the Vikings need to see what Bridgewater can do? Also, I wouldn’t be against the guy’s want to.”"
Bradford must win in order to put Bridgewater threat down
Numbers alone likely won’t save Bradford this year. The Vikings went 8-8 last season. Under the circumstances that was actually a solid run. Now that he’s had time to acclimate though, remember this was a team thinking Super Bowl at the start of 2016. They still believe that’s the end game. Bradford needs to show he can do more than just piled up nice stats. It’s about winning and he hasn’t done enough of that over the course of his career.
Like it or not, Bridgewater has already shown he can get to the playoffs. Minnesota may be tempted to give him the reins again if they sense Bradford doesn’t have the chops.