The Minnesota Vikings have formally activated quarterback Teddy Bridgewater off the PUP list, and he will serve as Case Keenum’s backup this weekend against Washington. The Vikings head into the game sitting at 6-2, holding a two-game lead in the NFC North.
Keenum has actually been fairly stable for the Vikings, leading a decent passing attack that has been supplemented by a decent ground game. The Vikings have not been particularly flashy on offense, but in a division with a lot of question marks, they are winning football games and on track to claim the division.
The plan for Teddy Bridgewater this season remains unclear, but it raises some questions heading into the offseason. Bridgewater is a free agent after this season after the Vikings elected to not pick up his fifth year option. Both Bridgewater and Keenum are due to hit free agency this offseason, and they could be a team to watch as the 2018 NFL Draft approaches. I have to think they get Bridgewater out there to see what he can do after his injury. Or maybe regardless of what happens these final eight games, they sign him to some kind of short-term prove it deal.
The 2018 NFL Draft features a host of QB options. There are questions about all the college QBs, but there will still be plenty of teams willing to roll the dice with a first round pick. The 49ers likely will not be one of those teams when and if they lock up Jimmy Garoppolo to a contract extension. But it does put them in an interesting position with what will be a high first round pick. They could just get the best talent available, but dealing down for a haul of picks would make plenty of sense as well. The Vikings will be far enough down that I don’t see a deal there, but again, there will be plenty to watch.