Mike Zimmer more optimistic about Bridgewater’s return now than ‘at any point in time’

The Minnesota Vikings’ head coach expressed his admiration on Friday for the quarterback’s efforts in doing what is necessary to get back out on the field.

Since Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered an ugly knee injury last August, no person has been more vocal about the quarterback’s will to recover and get back to doing what he loves than Mike Zimmer. The Vikings head coach has constantly fought off any negative reports about Bridgewater’s injury with stories about how special and determined his quarterback is.

Zimmer spoke to the local media on Friday at the team’s first day of rookie mini-camp and continued to sing the praises of Bridgewater’s recovery efforts.

"“I love Teddy Bridgewater. The guy is working his rear end off. (He) continues to fight every single day. Everything about him, when he is rehabbing and doing the work that he has to do, is the exact same way that he approaches life.I’m probably more optimistic now about him eventually playing than (I) have been at any point in time. But he’s still got a long ways to go.”"

Both Zimmer and Bridgewater came to Minnesota in 2014 and both clearly share a special bond. Whether that has to do with their similar arrival time or something else, the coach often has moments where he talks about his quarterback as if he is his own son.

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When they joined the Vikings three years ago, both men had a similar goal in wanting to bring a championship to Minnesota. The goal still remains the same for Zimmer and the Vikings, but the coach just wants to make sure his quarterback is there to accomplish it with him.