After suffering a gruesome injury during the NFL preseason, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could end up getting released by the Minnesota Vikings. This would depend on how Sam Bradford will perform with the team during the 2016 NFL season.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Bridgewater will undergo surgery due to his knee injury. Although details about his current condition are still unclear, he is expected to miss the entire 2016 NFL season. Some sources are even reporting that he might not be able to return to the field even for the 2017 games.
His injury, which happened just days before the start of the new season, caused the Vikings to scramble for an adequate replacements. Knowing the team's desperation, other franchises demanded a high price for their own quarterbacks.
Eventually, the Vikings were able to land a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for Bradford. However, it cost general manager Rick Spielman to shell out two future draft picks.
Due to his injury, Bridgewater has been placed in injured reserve, leaving Bradford and Shaun Hill to fill the Vikings' shallow quarterback bench. But, because of his condition, he could end up getting released by the team.
Bridgewater officially joined the Vikings in 2014 after signing a four-year contract worth $6.85 million. However, if he doesn't get to play until 2017 due to his injury, that means the Vikings will only be able to use him for one more year.
Given his salary, this doesn't seem like a logical move for the team. By the time he gets to return to the field, Bradford would have already gotten used to the playing style of his teammates, making him a better quarterback.
If this happens, then the Minnesota organization could turn to Bradford as their permanent quarterback, even if Bridegwater's condition gets better.
But, for Bradford, he is still more concerned about the athlete he replaced instead of his long-term career with the Vikings.
Earlier this week, he gave Bridgewater advice on how he will be able to overcome his current situation.
"Just taking it day by day," he said. "I think sometimes if you look too far ahead or you expect yourself to immediately take a jump and get better, I think sometimes it can get frustrating, because it's a long process, and it takes time."
"It seems like every now and then, you take two steps forward, but then you take a step back," he added. "You've just got to be patient."
