Bradford & Bridgewater: NFL’s First Tag Team Quarterback Duo?
Nick Gjerde
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The Minnesota Vikings have been through a whirlwind of controversy regarding the quarterback position. Arguably the last franchise quarterback to lead the team was Daunte Culpepper through 2005- that’s if you’re not counting the hot and cold ’09/’10 seasons under Brett Favre, or the following years with Christian Ponder (Which most fans probably aren’t). The latest controversy begins in the second preseason game of 2016 against the Seattle Seahawks, in which head coach Mike Zimmer gave the start to Shaun Hill over Teddy Bridgewater, who did not see the field that night. When asked why Teddy didn’t play, Zimmer answered curtly, “Because I sat him.” When asked why he sat him, Zimmer answered “Because I wanted to.”
Typically week two of the preseason is when most team’s start their first-string quarterback for a drive or two to begin warming up their star talent for the season opener. Not Zimmer. Zimmer doesn’t care how things are normally run. After launched into the game, Shaun Hill proved he was more than serviceable, completing 10 of 17 passes which resulted in a 77-yard touchdown drive after a quick 2-yard TD scamper by Jerick McKinnon (Replacing Adrian Peterson).
The decision to bench Teddy that night may be chalked up to Zimmer’s iron-fisted demand that every player practice as if they’re going to play- and then proving his point in a game-time scenario. In alerting Shaun Hill he would be the team’s starting quarterback only moments before the game, Zimmer shook up not only the media, but the locker room. At any moment, Zimmer could call an audible and switch the starting rotation to throw unexpecting players into the fray. Perhaps to test their character? Their skill? Or maybe just to see how an opposing defense handles a change, expecting to face the player or players they’d spent all week preparing for? At any rate, we know Mike Zimmer does what Mike Zimmer wants. But what if Mike Zimmer wanted two starting caliber quarterbacks on roster through the foreseeable future?
Bradford and Bridgewater know how devastating injuries can be to a player’s career in the NFL. After dislocating his knee and tearing his ACL last summer, Bridgewater’s been forced to look from the outside in, wondering if he’ll ever get the opportunity to start again. Bradford, after tearing his ACL and needing reconstructive surgery, missed the majority of the 2013 season. He then injured the same ACL in the preseason of 2014, missing that year’s entire season as well. With the mindset that every day is a new opportunity to succeed, but also a new opportunity for tragedy to strike, the two quarterbacks couldn’t be a better fit to work together in transforming the 2017 Minnesota Viking offense into the first of its kind– a dual-threat quarterback offense.
If the Minnesota Vikings want to win, they need to stay focused. It’s easy for players and fans to manufacture drama on who gets paid what and to demand answers to questions those involved may not even be ready to answer yet. Imagine the burden off of the shoulders for everyone involved if the decision is made to roll with not one, but two starting quarterbacks through the 2017 season? Imagine Teddy using this opportunity to work as a sort of relief quarterback- a player who comes into the game when the time calls for it, adding a new layer to the offense and keeping defenses honest.
Mike Zimmer is no stranger when it comes to shifting players around and sharing the spotlight. Safety Harrison Smith is routinely involved in blitz packages as well as grabbing interceptions far down the field. Veteran Defensive End Brian Robison shares his role with Danielle Hunter, where the combo accounted for 13.5 sacks last season. Everson Griffen will likely split repetitions with Datone Jones, the veteran signed out of Green Bay. Why not apply this logic to the offense as well?
Imagine the scenario:
The Vikings are up 10-7 and just secured possession of the football to start the second quarter of a highly-contested ball game. Bradford and company march onto the field, and just before #8 takes a snap, he jogs off the field and is replaced by #5, Bridgewater. The players on offense shift positions, and Teddy takes the snap, a three-step drop, and bombs a deep pass to Diggs down the sidelines! Treadwell and Rudolph set up blocks, and he’s gone! Touchdown!
What do you think? Could a dual-pronged quarterback offense work in today’s modern NFL? Or should Zimmer stick with a single starting quarterback like the rest of the league?