Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater won over the hearts of Vikings fans with his play this season, and it’s also made him a finalist for the NFL’s most prestigious rookie award.
The NFL announced that Bridgewater is a finalist for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award.
NFL announces @OBJ_3, @teddyb_h2o, @MikeEvans13_, @JeremyHill33 and @sammywatkins are finalists for the ROY award. pic.twitter.com/fZJQYAQep9
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) January 6, 2015
Bridgewater’s rookie season was a resounding success by Vikings standards. He threw for 2,919 yards and 14 touchdowns, while making 12 starts for the Vikings this year.
Bridgewater went 6-6 in those starts and won the Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award twice.
He is one of three finalists who won the rookie of the week award multiple times. The Daily Norseman notes that Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham won the award four times, including the final three weeks of the NFL regular season. Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins won it three times.
The Vikings say Bridgewater broke or tied 91 team records during 2014. Among those were records for most games over 300 yards passing as a rookie, most passing attempts in a season as a rookie and most completions as a rookie.
Bridgewater will be up against some tough competition, particularly from Beckham, who posted big enough numbers to impress former Vikings receiver Randy Moss.
Fans can vote for their favorite rookie at NFL.com.
