Whether or not Adrian Peterson ever carries the football for the Minnesota Vikings again, it appears as if Tuesday’s suspension has signaled a change within the organization.
Peterson’s days as the face of the franchise appear to have ended. If true, the new face of the Vikings could become rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the team’s’ second first-round draft pick last April
Official changing of face of Vikings franchise from Adrian Peterson to Teddy Bridgewater at 740 am Tuesday when Adrian suspension announced
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 19, 2014
Bridgewater took over as the Vikings starting quarterback in week three after Matt Cassel went down with a season-ending foot injury.
“I’ll embrace the role, but I know it’s not all about me,” Bridgewater told reporters at Winter Park on Wednesday. “We have other playmakers on this team (like) Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, Jerik MacKinnon and then on the defensive side of the ball Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Chad Greenway and those guys.”
Bridgewater has led the Vikings to three of their four wins this season.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that he continues to see improvement from Bridgewater every week, especially in practice.
“He’ll be in early on Monday and stay late and come in on Tuesday and do extra things than he has to do,” said Zimmer. “All of types of things gives me belief that this is what this guy is all about.”
Mike Zimmer on Teddy Bridgewater: "I believe he will be the face of the franchise.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 19, 2014
“It’s an overall team effort and this entire team plays a role in our success,” said Bridgewater.
Bridgewater admitted to reporters that watching what Aaron Rodgers is doing in Green Bay, with Eddie Lacy in the backfield has made him wonder what could be if Peterson were with the team. But Bridgewater said they have won games with and without Peterson this season.
“We just have to continue to prepare and do the things that we’ve been doing throughout the course of the year,” said Bridgewater. “We can’t have a dark cloud over our facility or over our team.”
Bridgewater credited running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata for their efforts in Peterson’s absence.
“They have been doing a great job, doing everything we’ve asked of them,” Bridgewater said.
