The old adage is that quarterbacks get too much glory when teams win, and too much blame when they lose. If that’s true, it’s hard to image any starting NFL quarterback being underrated.
But when ESPN Insider put together a list of each NFL team’s most underrated player – they picked Teddy Bridgewater for the Vikings.
That might be preposterous to some.
After all Bridgewater was in the Pro Bowl last season, he was the NFL’s Pepsi Rookie of the Year in 2014, appeared on a game show earlier this month, was mentioned and made a cameo a young fan’s viral rap video and has genuinely been the most talked about Vikings player not named Adrian Peterson.
While Bridgewater improved in almost every offensive category in 2015, some still do have some questions about him.
But here is why ESPN’s Ben Goessling thinks the 23-year-old is Minnesota’s most underrated player.
“By Football Outsiders’ numbers, Teddy Bridgewater was not a top-20 passer last season, but that’s not fair, because the quarterback spent too little time playing football and too much time running for his life. No quarterback was pressured more often in 2015. Erase all pressure plays from all quarterbacks, and Bridgewater’s ranking jumps up to 12th. With a rebuilt offensive line, Bridgewater should have better protection and better production this season.”
The Vikings are hoping Bridgewater will become their franchise quarterback, but that also means Minnesota will need to start thinking about a long term contract.
My thoughts on #Vikings @teddyb_h2o Teddy Bridgewater & a potential new contract @nflnetwork https://t.co/A4xE9PEGp9
— Charley Casserly (@CharleyCasserly) July 7, 2016
