The Minnesota Vikings finally have the offense they have been hoping for. They have an established quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, a dynamic rushing attack with Adrian Peterson under center and plenty of wide receiver depth after acquiring Mike Wallace and drafting Stefon Diggs. While Norv Turner gets to work on the offensive plan he has been looking to build, Bridgewater is not ready to start believing the hype just yet.
Bridgewater is aware of the potential of the team especially after Peterson finally reported to OTAs following a lengthy absence. Now that everyone is accounted for on offense, the Vikings have expectations that have not been there is awhile. Despite all of the hype, Bridgewater is downplaying the potential success at this moment.
"It's easy to sit here and say how good we can be, but it's still early June and it's too early to tell,'' Bridgewater said, via the Pioneer Press. "We have to just continue to get better each day right now. We know that we can't win the championship in June, so we just have to continue to build chemistry and then take advantage of these [OTAs] and come back in training camp and then we'll be able to tell how good we'll be.''
Peterson immediately steps in as a starter for the offense, but there is a battle at the wide receiver spot. Charles Johnson and Mike Wallace are expected to take two of the spots while Cordarrelle Patterson, Diggs and Jarius Wright compete for the third spot. Patterson is in a crucial season as he risks getting released if he does not improve. According to ESPN, Patterson has taken to being put on notice and is looking strong in OTAs. If he can start to look like the first-round receiver he was supposed to be, he will get that No. 3 spot.
Another player finally looking to make an impact with Minnesota if Kyle Rudolph who is finally healthy. The tight end battled a sports hernia last year along with ankle and knee problems. He underwent surgery and is now looking to make an impact. Bridgewater admits he is excited to finally have the tight end on the field as Rudolph looks to reclaim his Pro Bowl status.
"You see what my position is capable of in this offense," Rudolph said, via the Star-Tribune. 'I've proven that throughout the course of a 16-game season, when I'm out there every week, I'm one of the best players at my position."
The real x-factor for 2015 will be the progression of Bridgewater. The second-year pro is looking to capitalize off a solid rookie season while players are commenting about how much more of a leader he is becoming. If Bridgewater can continue to improve, the playoffs are not hard to imagine for the Vikings.
