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Vikings unlikely to pick up fifth-year option on Teddy Bridgewater

By Bryan Holmes

Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws the ball during the first quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws the ball during the first quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to reports, the Minnesota Vikings are unlikely to pick up the fifth year option on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

According to reports early Wednesday morning, the Vikings are unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option by the May 2 deadline on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

The current CBA agreement grants rookie draft picks four-year contracts with a fifth year option at the team’s discretion. The option on that fifth year guarantees a player his entire salary in the event that the player misses the field that season due to injury.

This is problematic considering the gruesome injury Bridgewater suffered during preseason practice last season. The same injury Bridgewater suffered last season has been one that has ended many player’s careers in the NFL. By picking up the option on Bridgewater the Vikings would be guaranteeing his 2018 salary of more than $11 million.

Just because the Vikings do not pick up the fifth-year option on Bridgewater doesn’t mean they can’t re-sign him to another deal. They may just not want to take the $11 million dollar hit on a quarterback that is coming off of a catastrophic knee injury. This sentiment is reflected by a league source who says that, “The injury guarantee makes it tough to do.”

Last season the Vikings negotiated a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford led the Vikings to an 8-8 record and a third place finish in the NFC North.  Bradford is signed with the Vikings through the 2017 season.

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As of right now, if Bridgewater’s fifth year option is not picked up the Vikings will likely have to keep the situation fluid.  The more concrete the timetable for Bridgewater’s return is, the more information they will have for their future at the quarterback position. People forget that this was a quarterback that led a game-winning drive against a great Seahawks defense in sub-zero temperatures before Blair Walsh shanked a kick.

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