Vikings parting with Bridgewater, Keenum, and Bradford hard for some fans

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings heads to the field with Sam Bradford #8 before the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings heads to the field with Sam Bradford #8 before the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Vikings are moving forward with quarterback Kirk Cousins, leaving nothing but memories about Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, and Sam Bradford.

This has been a strange offseason for the Minnesota Vikings in many respects. The main focus was that a team that went to the NFC Championship Game was looking for a long-term answer at quarterback, and they found it in former Washington Redskins passer Kirk Cousins.

Breaking the bank for Cousins and giving him an unheard of fully-guaranteed, multi-year contract meant that the team wouldn’t be able to bring back three players who have helped the team find success in the past.

Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, and Sam Bradford have given fans a lot of great memories over the last few years, but now they will all be suiting up for different NFL teams and many Vikings fans are left with jerseys of former players and clips they can watch of some of their favorite moments from each quarterback.

While no Minnesota fan will likely ever forget the Minneapolis Miracle, there were plenty of other contributions these individuals made on the field, including an amazing overtime win over the Jets, a near-perfect week 1 outing against the Saints, a 4 touchdown game, and big single-game performances.

Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings /

Minnesota Vikings

The big thing is that each of these quarterbacks had a winning record with Minnesota. Now, they bring their talents to the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals while it will be time for Kirk Cousins to shine.

But it’s hard not to be thankful for these three individuals who led the team to a combined record of 37-21 as a starter with the Vikings according to Pro Football Reference. Here are their individual records.

  • Teddy Bridgewater: 17-11
  • Case Keenum: 11-3
  • Sam Bradford: 9-7

Sadly, the quarterback carousel in Minnesota is something fans have grown used to. Aside from the massive fan response to Teddy Bridgewater over the years, the fanbase has struggled to get attached to any passer the team brings in, but that has to change.

Now, it is time for fans to embrace Kirk Cousins and hope that he can bring the Minnesota Vikings back to the playoffs and get the team to the Super Bowl. The team has locked into their new quarterback for three years,

Next: Which remaining 2018 free-agents could the Vikings sign?

Fans shouldn’t forget everything Keenum, Bridgewater, and Bradford have done for the franchise over the years, but it is time to move forward, even if losing three quarterbacks in one offseason can be a lot for fans to swallow.