Once the pre-draft hype subsided and he got on the field, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater made plenty of noise last year.
But this year, he may make even more, of a different kind.
The second-year quarterback seems ready to assert himself as the Vikings’ leader even more, as teammates are expecting him to take a larger and louder role.
“Guys kind of push you into that leadership role,” Bridgewater said, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I’m a young guy still on the team, but guys are pushing me forward to say something in the huddle, or break the team down, or break the offense down.
“That just gives you that confidence in yourself, confidence in your leadership -- and I’ve been extremely comfortable doing that.”
Bridgewater is a soft-spoken kid, who showed impressive poise once he took over the starting job four games into last season. But with an offseason under his belt to grow, he’s apparently more comfortable in a forward role.
"[He’s] becoming more of a leader, and you can tell that this is more of his team as we continue to go,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “He’s a lot more vocal with the guys, as far as telling them where to go and what routes they should be running. He obviously has a better command of the offense, as well.”
While the Vikings are in the midst of a mess with running back Adrian Peterson, it helps having someone else on the offense who has enough credibility to lead the group. And having that player be your quarterback is better yet.
