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5 reasons Sam Bradford trade was brilliant for Minnesota Vikings

By John Buhler

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) passes against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) passes against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings walks out on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 29, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings walks out on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 29, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Mike Zimmer defense

For the 2016 Vikings to play for a Super Bowl, they will have to rely on their strong defensive personnel of head coach Mike Zimmer. Defense wins championships and the Vikings should have one of the very best in football this winter.

This helps Bradford exponentially, as he will rarely play from behind should the Vikings defense live up to lofty expectations. It will allow him to play a freer form of quarterback, something hasn’t been able to do since college. Neither the Rams or the Eagles were anything close to playoff caliber when Bradford played for them.

The Vikings don’t need Bradford to throw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns a week. They’ll just need him to mitigate turnovers and convert the occasional third and long when handing the rock off to Peterson isn’t logical.

Next: 2016 NFL season: Record predictions for all 32 teams

Bradford is good enough to win games as a complimentary piece of an NFL team. He’ll be exactly that with the 2016 Vikings. It’s a big gamble for the Vikings to trade for a so-so starting quarterback in Bradford, but with nothing left to lose on either side, this could be the front office move that gets the Vikings to the Super Bowl for the first time since the Bud Grant era in Minneapolis.

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