The Minnesota Vikings reportedly will not pick up the quarterback’s fifth-year contract option that would keep him with the team through the 2018 season.
The last time quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played in a meaningful game for the Minnesota Vikings was during their heartbreaking 2015 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After his unfortunate knee injury last summer, it is possible that game could have actually been the last time for Vikings fans to see Bridgewater play in a regular season or playoff matchup for their team.
As difficult as it may be, Minnesota has to be smart and do what works best for the team’s future in when figuring out what decisions to make regarding their young quarterback’s injury status. Well according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday, the Vikings are likely to make one of those difficult decisions very soon.
Vikings likely to pass on Bridgewater's fifth-year option:https://t.co/y7jITfQlqe https://t.co/OpiqOyUfEz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2017
Minnesota’s choice to not pick up Bridgewater’s fifth-year option means that the quarterback would become a free-agent after the 2017 season. If the Vikings are smart, they will try and work out some sort of team-friendly extension for Bridgewater that keeps him in town for at least 2018 with the hopes that he could possibly step back onto the football field by then.
All this being said, the team is still impressed with the quarterback’s recovery progress, as Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman told the media on Tuesday.
Rick Spielman said Teddy Bridgewater has been "incredible" trying to "fight his way back." #Vikings
— VikingUpdate.com (@VikingUpdate) April 25, 2017
So with the team likely to not pick up his contract option and Sam Bradford in the last year of his contract, Minnesota’s 2018 quarterback situation could be in shambles at the end of the upcoming season.
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Sounds like it should be another fun offseason for the Vikings next year.