In 2017, Teddy Bridgewater's return to the field after his major knee injury marked a significant moment for him and Vikings fans. The emotional cheer from the crowd when he entered the game was a testament to their support and appreciation for his resilience after his severe 2016 knee injury. However, the struggles he experienced during the first half of the game were a tough reminder of the challenges that can come with returning to football after a long absence.
What happened to Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in 2017?
Bridgewater returned to the field as the Vikings were dominating the Bengals; he was stepping in for Case Keenum. This marked his first game since he suffered a severe knee injury in August 2016, having not played since January of that year. When Bridgewater entered the game, he received a warm ovation from the fans in Minnesota. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned after that.
Following a couple of running plays, his first pass attempt resulted in an interception, although it could be attributed to a dropped ball by his receiver. It was clear that Bridgewater had some rust to shake off, and despite a rocky start, his return was a memorable moment.
The former first-round pick who guided the Vikings to the playoffs in 2015, faced a severe knee injury right before the start of the 2016 season that jeopardized his career. Despite the challenges, he worked hard to return and ultimately became the team's backup quarterback for the last few months of the 2017 season. Although he played very little during that time, Bridgewater described 2017 as his "favorite season."
"It was probably my favorite season by far, even though I didn't play much," Bridgewater told sports journalist Courtney Cronin. "This season challenged my mindset because as bad as I wanted to be out there playing, being the competitor that I am, I wanted to go to war and go to battle with my guys, I had to be out there in a different aspect. I had to be there for the guys mentally.”
He further added, "It gave me a different role, and I accepted it. It was one that was hard to accept because I'm a competitor, but I wouldn't trade this year for nothing."