Vikings need to roll with Bridgewater to contend with NFC's elite
Just over fourteen months ago, Teddy Bridgewater was rushed from the Minnesota Vikings' practice field to a hospital after suffering a devastating non-contact knee injury.
Not only was the quarterback's career in jeopardy, his leg was too. It's amazing enough that Bridgewater can walk and run without any limitations; the fact he's a day away from being activated to Minnesota's 53-man roster and will soon suit up for an NFL game is a miracle.
Related - Report: Vikings to activate Bridgewater this week, could put Bradford on IR
But the next chapter in this feel-good story - one the NFL desperately needed during what may be the most depressing season in recent memory - shouldn't be Bridgewater sitting on a bench while Case Keenum leads the Vikings.
With Aaron Rodgers likely done for the year, Minnesota, sitting 6-2, has a great chance to win the NFC North and contend for a first-round bye. And Keenum is a big reason for the Vikings' success this season.
The journeyman pivot exceeded expectations after taking over for Sam Bradford, who's been hurt since Week 1 and may be headed to injured reserve. Keenum has been efficient, poised, and careful with the football - everything you want in a relief starter.
But Minnesota will need more than a steady hand come playoff time. The NFC is stacked this year. Despite the Vikings' elite defense, with Keenum at the helm, does anyone believe they can beat more than one team at the level of the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, or Philadelphia Eagles in the postseason?
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Yes, Bridgewater hasn't played in a game since January 2015 and is no lock to return to form. But in his two seasons as the starter, he displayed composure beyond his years, along with special accuracy and pocket presence. Anything close to his previous level of performance would still be an upgrade for Minnesota.
He'd also get to work with the most talented receiving options of his career, as Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs have both vastly improved since Bridgewater last threw them the football.
And the move to Bridgewater isn't just about short-term gain; the Vikings desperately need to figure out their long-term quarterback situation, as all three pivots are out of contract after this season.
With significant long-term concerns about Bradford's knee injury, the Vikings likely aren't comfortable committing to him again. Keenum has done more than enough to earn a longer deal, but Minnesota would be taking a big risk by only retaining him, tying their championship-caliber roster to a career backup with equally good chances of regressing in 2018 or maintaining his current level of play.
That brings us back to Bridgewater, who's in the last year of his rookie contract. Because the Vikings were uncertain about his playing future in May, they decided against taking up his fifth-year option - an understandable choice, but one that means they risk losing him this offseason.
Before his injury, Bridgewater looked set to seal his status as Minnesota's franchise quarterback. The most important question for the Vikings' present and future is whether he can still be that guy, and they need to roll with him and find out the answer as soon as possible.