Last week, former Vikings wide receiver, Mike Wallace, appeared to throw his ex-quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, under the bus when he made these comments:
“When this process started, I knew I wasn’t going back to Minnesota. I was like, ‘I need a good quarterback,'” Wallace said. “I need a quarterback who is proven and can get things done. [Ravens QB Joe] Flacco has always been that guy.”
DAMNNNNNNN!!! That’s the immediate thought that must have come to everyone’s mind when Wallace made those comments at a press conference announcing his signing with the Baltimore Ravens. Wallace later clarified that he wasn’t “throwing Teddy under the bus“, but the implication was still pretty clear- Teddy isn’t Ben Roethlisberger or Joe Flacco, you know, guys that can launch a football deep, which is Wallace’s thing.
Teddy has been however, a breathe of fresh air to the Minnesota Vikings. He’s a franchise QB whose numbers resemble those of Chiefs QB Alex Smith. In 16 games this season, Bridgewater tossed just 9 interceptions, one fewer than MVP Cam Newton.
But the Vikings haven’t exactly been a passing threat with Teddy, who tossed 14 touchdown passes last season- problem is, four of them came in one game against the Bears. Take that one game out, and Bridgewater had 10 touchdown passes in 15 games, whereas 49ers backup QB Blaine Gabbert tossed 10 in 8 games.
So while Bridgewater hasn’t gone full Aaron Rodgers on the league yet, taking the Alex Smith route instead, that doesn’t mean he’s a bad QB either. Teddy is solid, and he’s brought stability to the Vikings.
So while Mike Wallace will no doubt be happier in Baltimore, the Vikings will be just fine playing in a run control offense that doesn’t turn the ball over much.
