Teddy Addresses Media for First Time Since Injury, Talks Return

Teddy Bridgewater Press Conference

Outside of the Michael Floyd nonsense, if there was one topic that has dominated the recent off-season it’s been the status of Teddy Bridgewater’s return from the devastating injury he incurred last August. So, interest was high when Teddy was set to address the media for the first time yesterday and he said plenty for us to sink our teeth into. You can watch his Press Conference HERE, but we’ll cover most of what was said. Essentially, despite the Instagrams to the contrary, Teddy started by saying that he doesn’t know when he’ll return but he knows he will eventually. Using his mother’s battle with breast cancer (and the fact that none of his doctors called his injury “career ending”) as a source of strength, Teddy seemed confident that his return is an “when” not “if” situation. According to Ben Goessling, of ESPN (for now), Teddy said:

“That’s the good thing about all this — I get to continue to live out my dream, we don’t know when it’s going to happen, but for me, I know that it’s going to happen.”

Teddy was placed on the PUP-list when training camp began, despite some thinking that he’d somehow be ready for camp (probably because Teddy forced that narrative on Instagram and with comments about being “physically and mentally prepared for Training Camp”). In regard to his injury and return, head coach Mike Zimmer said:

“I never said what the prognosis was when he got hurt, but it was not good, you never really know, but we kind of knew it was going to be a long process. And for where he’s at right now is really remarkable. It’s a testament to, not only him, but his mom, the way he was brought up, the things he’s doing. I think he’s in a good place right now, and I think he kind of sees the end game now.”

Bridgewater discussed the moment of his injury, saying that he knew “something didn’t feel right.” Considering his leg would’ve fallen off if not for his skin, I’m sure it didn’t feel right. “I was in the back of the [ambulance,] and [head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman] was back there with me,” Bridgewater said. “We had a conversation, and I’m pretty sure both of us were pretty nervous about that conversation. I’m glad that everyone reacted in a timely manner, and we were able to save my leg, if that’s what you want to call it.”

It’s been almost a year since Teddy went down in that non-contact drill and it’s still amazing to think that this actually happened. Hearing Teddy’s description of the event makes you really feel for the guy but also shows that internal strength that he’s always had, which explains why he’s been so clutch so far in his young career. The reality is, though, that the Vikings have another near-elite quarterback on their roster and because of that (and the uncertainty around Teddy’s return), the Vikings declined Bridgewater’s fifth-year option earlier this off-season. While they may be able to push that out another year (if he’s on IR all year), that means that we may never see Teddy play in Purple and Gold again. In that regard, Teddy said:

“I just want to continue to play football,” Bridgewater said. “It was taken away from me 11 months ago, so to even be having this conversation about continuing to play football, that just continues to motivate me right there.”

So. It’s really great to see Teddy “back” and we are all rooting for him, regardless of what team he plays for in 2018 (and beyond). I don’t see him returning this season and if all goes according to plan, there should be no reason why he should. Granted, this is the same Vikings team that had its first young, developing quarterback since Daunte Culpepper, go down in a freak accident that almost cost him his leg and essentially is the reason for this article, so as we know as Vikings fans, anything is possible (*Knock on Wood*). Either way, you gotta love Teddy and it’s great to see that he’s got a positive outlook on things and that he misses the game, it’s that drive that’ll make him a great QB.

 

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