Could Teddy Bridgewater actually be ready for Vikings training camp?

The quarterback’s recovery from his knee injury has been progressing very well, but is it enough to join his Minnesota Vikings teammates at training camp this year?

Maybe it is because he is a likable guy or maybe it is because this is the slowest part of the NFL offseason, but Teddy Bridgewater has been causing a lot of commotion amongst Minnesota Vikings fans with his recent posts on social media.

Bridgewater has been working out down in Miami, Florida for the past few weeks and he has been posting photos online for fans to drool over and dream up irrational outcomes.

There were the photos he posted last week of him working out without a brace on his surgically repaired knee less than a year after his gruesome injury. Then just recently, the quarterback put up a few more pictures of him throwing to his former college teammate and current Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker.

A video even popped up recently of Bridgewater having somewhat normal movement in his left leg while performing a passing drill.

Now all of these photos and video clips are wonderful and great to see, but do they give fans any indication of how soon the quarterback could be back on the field playing in an actual game?

No they do not.

However, Bridgewater seems to be preparing to participate in the Vikings upcoming training camp that begins on July 23. In a recent radio interview with ESPN West Palm 106.3 FM, the quarterback talked about why he has been working out so hard lately.

"“As training camp approaches, I just want to make sure that I’m getting myself mentally prepared and physically prepared.”"

Based on what he said during this interview, it sure sounds like Bridgewater is gearing up to actually participate in training camp. Something no one thought could be possible even just a few months ago.

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However, one of the downsides of him practicing at training camp would be that Minnesota would no longer be able to toll his contract through 2018 and Bridgewater would become a free-agent following the conclusion of the 2017 season.

His contract tolling would be the ideal scenario for the Vikings, but no one can fault the quarterback if he is medically cleared and able to play by the start of the team’s first regular season game this year.

This is his career and earning a higher paying contract is something everyone in his position is always attempting to do. If healthy enough to play, Bridgewater should not sit out Minnesota’s first six games just so his contract will toll and the team can save a bit of money next year.

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As he and the team learned last year, absolutely no one knows how the future will turn out and the quarterback has to make the most of his career in the NFL while he still can. Based on his recovery progress up to this point and his recent comments, Bridgewater may be back starting under center for the Vikings much sooner than anticipated.