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In the short term, Sam Bradford’s health and Case Keenum’s performance could determine whether we see Bridgewater actually play this season.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said again Monday that Bradford is day-to-day, giving no indication when the starter might return from a knee injury suffered Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.
The Vikings have set Bradford up to succeed with his coordinator-for-life Pat Shurmur, a vastly improved offensive line, two of the top receivers in the NFL and an dynamic running back. A quick recovery by Bradford could eliminate any chance for Bridgewater to get back on the field – assuming Bradford is playing well and leading the team toward the playoffs.
But there are several scenarios where Bridgewater could end up starting.
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/0...rs-return/
While the short-term is tricky, the long-term is even more complex.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement is clear: Bridgewater’s contract should be carried over to next season, keeping him in Minnesota in 2018. But Bridgewater could file a grievance and look to hit the free agent market. Judging by Mike Glennon’s contract, it’s reasonable to think that somebody would pay big dollars to get Bridgewater, even with his injury history.
If Bridgewater did accept a tolled contract, the Vikings could decide to franchise tag Bradford and see if Bridgewater looks like his old self in training camp/preseason, but then there will no doubt be QB controversy and risk of splitting the locker room.
A terrific season from Bradford could push the Vikings to lock him in as the starting QB long-term for $100 million-plus and trade Bridgewater.
But Bridgewater would be the preferable choice for a long-term quarterback if all knees are equal. He’s five years younger, already made the playoffs leading a team with limitations on offense and has a great relationship with Zimmer.
We have no way of telling which direction the short or long term will go with Bridgewater. But with reports of his upcoming return, we do know that answers are around the corner.
this is one of those times where you throw your arms up and just enjoy the ride. a person could run themselves absolutely bat shit crazy trying to play through all the potential scenarios that could come from where we are at right now with our 4 QBs. No matter how it unfolds the answer will be the wrong one... its just the Viking way.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
this is one of those times where you throw your arms up and just enjoy the ride. a person could run themselves absolutely bat shit crazy trying to play through all the potential scenarios that could come from where we are at right now with our 4 QBs. No matter how it unfolds the answer will be the wrong one... its just the Viking way.
I agree. Three games into the season has not clarified the long term QB position and the playoff run of the Vikes this year will determine much. A successful combo of Bradford/Keenum going deep into Jan would probably suck for Bridgewater and he'd look for employment elsewhere.
By the time November hits, we should have a better clue which path were on...
Quote: @Ralphie said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
this is one of those times where you throw your arms up and just enjoy the ride. a person could run themselves absolutely bat shit crazy trying to play through all the potential scenarios that could come from where we are at right now with our 4 QBs. No matter how it unfolds the answer will be the wrong one... its just the Viking way.
I agree. Three games into the season has not clarified the long term QB position and the playoff run of the Vikes this year will determine much. A successful combo of Bradford/Keenum going deep into Jan would probably suck for Bridgewater and he'd look for employment elsewhere.
By the time November hits, we should have a better clue which path were on...
its not my original thought, but its one I agree with, I doubt Sam signs a long term deal here if Teddy is on the roster still. I think Sam wants to put down roots and although I dont think he is adverse to competition, I also dont think he wants to be constantly looking over his shoulder or work in a divided locker room. I maintain the reason he got pissed in Philly is that instead of spending on bettering the team around him they used their draft stock to try and replace him... that would tend to piss anybody off that is working hard to win IMO.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ Ralphie said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
this is one of those times where you throw your arms up and just enjoy the ride. a person could run themselves absolutely bat shit crazy trying to play through all the potential scenarios that could come from where we are at right now with our 4 QBs. No matter how it unfolds the answer will be the wrong one... its just the Viking way.
I agree. Three games into the season has not clarified the long term QB position and the playoff run of the Vikes this year will determine much. A successful combo of Bradford/Keenum going deep into Jan would probably suck for Bridgewater and he'd look for employment elsewhere.
By the time November hits, we should have a better clue which path were on...
its not my original thought, but its one I agree with, I doubt Sam signs a long term deal here if Teddy is on the roster still. I think Sam wants to put down roots and although I dont think he is adverse to competition, I also dont think he wants to be constantly looking over his shoulder or work in a divided locker room. I maintain the reason he got pissed in Philly is that instead of spending on bettering the team around him they used their draft stock to try and replace him... that would tend to piss anybody off that is working hard to win IMO.
Sammy is in the opposite boat of Teddy. If the Vikes flounder and either miss the playoffs or get bounced in the first round, management won't open up the coffers for him with a recouped Teddy in the wings.
The only way Sam gets his long term/final deal in MN is if he takes the Vikes to the promised land or darn near close to it. Youth be darned, if Sam gets us to February, he'll get rewarded for it.
Quote: @Ralphie said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Ralphie said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
this is one of those times where you throw your arms up and just enjoy the ride. a person could run themselves absolutely bat shit crazy trying to play through all the potential scenarios that could come from where we are at right now with our 4 QBs. No matter how it unfolds the answer will be the wrong one... its just the Viking way.
I agree. Three games into the season has not clarified the long term QB position and the playoff run of the Vikes this year will determine much. A successful combo of Bradford/Keenum going deep into Jan would probably suck for Bridgewater and he'd look for employment elsewhere.
By the time November hits, we should have a better clue which path were on...
its not my original thought, but its one I agree with, I doubt Sam signs a long term deal here if Teddy is on the roster still. I think Sam wants to put down roots and although I dont think he is adverse to competition, I also dont think he wants to be constantly looking over his shoulder or work in a divided locker room. I maintain the reason he got pissed in Philly is that instead of spending on bettering the team around him they used their draft stock to try and replace him... that would tend to piss anybody off that is working hard to win IMO.
Sammy is in the opposite boat of Teddy. If the Vikes flounder and either miss the playoffs or get bounced in the first round, management won't open up the coffers for him with a recouped Teddy in the wings.
The only way Sam gets his long term/final deal in MN is if he takes the Vikes to the promised land or darn near close to it. Youth be darned, if Sam gets us to February, he'll get rewarded for it.
I think all Sam needs to do is get us into the playoffs and its his job unless he is the reason we get bounced... of course that is based on a lot of health shit we dont know about Teddy and Sam as well.
At this point, I wouldn't rule out any possibility. Just think what might happen if Case leads the team to the playoffs. Wouldn't that throw a new wrinkle in the QB saga on who gets paid and stays?
I just hope they can find a franchise leader at QB so we finally have some stability for more than 1 season in a row.
Quote: @HappyViking said:
At this point, I wouldn't rule out any possibility. Just think what might happen if Case leads the team to the playoffs. Wouldn't that throw a new wrinkle in the QB saga on who gets paid and stays?
I just hope they can find a franchise leader at QB so we finally have some stability for more than 1 season in a row.
I know this sounds stupid... but it almost makes me more nervous for the pending decisions and the future with Case's success, before it was a Teddy/Sam debate, I have heard Sam could be out for 2-3 more games... imagine if Case continues to play like he did Sunday... now its a 3 horse race and honestly we can only really afford to keep 1 long term.... but which one?
I think reality will set back in and this will settle itself, I dont think Sam or Case are as good as their 2 good showings and I dont think any QB is as bad as some of their bad performances... glad its not my job on the line to make these decisions for the millions of Vikings fans.
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