1. Teddy Bridgewater was the last pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. The Vikings were stunned when Adrian Peterson was suspended for child abuse for the remainder of the 2014-2015 season. The Vikings had to redirect their offense from relying on Peterson to carry the team, to their rookie quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. While Matt Cassel was originally the starting QB for Minnesota, he was injured in the third game of the season against the New Orleans Saints, leaving Bridgewater to lead the team.
2. Teddy isn't flashy, which is what makes him a good candidate to be a franchise QB. The thing that makes his so strong is his level headedness. Sure, we all like to see emotions from leaders on the field but to be successful as a young quarterback composure is key. Just because he is calm and consistent doesn't mean he's boring to watch. Ask any Vikings fan and they will tell you that watching Teddy lead the team was one of the most refreshing experiences we've had in years. I looked forward to watching Bridgewater play every Sunday because any fan of a team without a franchise QB understands how frustrating it is to not know who is starting.
3. One of the main reasons I have confidence in the 22-year-old quarterback is his ability to be a leader when the star is gone. The Vikings clearly depended on Peterson to lead the team like he had done all of his years in the league, so their offense was developed around him. Once he was gone and Cassel was out for the remainder of the season, the Vikings had to put their faith in Teddy Bridgewater to run the offense. Teddy did a good job with a .500 record (6-6) which is impressive coming out of the NFC North division. Just imagine what Teddy is capable of with Peterson in the back field and 12 games under his belt after his rookie season.
4. Norv Turner is another asset that the Vikings have going for them. The offensive coordinator won two Super Bowls as the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator in 1992 and 1993. Turner has had a lot of success with all of the teams he has coached for, so why would his time with Teddy Bridgewater and the Minnesota Vikings be any different? The influence that Turner has had on Bridgewater is already apparent by his composure while being blitzed and his ability to make smart decisions in pressure situations.
5. The last reason that Teddy will be successful as the Vikings franchise quarterback is his name. That's right. Teddy. That's all that needs to be said and we all know who is being talked about. Not to mention the memes that can come from his name alone. My mom sent me the meme that said, “Who needs roses when you can have a Teddy" on Valentine's Day. Needless to say, I was smiling from ear to ear.
6. There is a bright future ahead for Teddy, and coming from a Vikings fan, I couldn't be more excited to see what he is capable of doing in 2015.
