Louisville Football: Former Cards in the pros on the move this offseason

Teddy Bridgewater – QB

Offseason move: Signed with the New York Jets

2016-17 statistics: 0 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception

There have been few comeback stories as inspiring as the one currently playing out in the career of beloved former Cardinal quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

August 31st 2016, was just a regular day of training camp practice for the Vikings, when reports surfaced of a “devastating” and “horrific” injury being suffered by then starting QB Teddy Bridgewater.

It took quite some time for reports to say what had actually happened, but in a press conference shortly after practice given by Head Coach Mike Zimmer, everyone around the country knew something bad had taken place.

It turned out Teddy had suffered as bad of a knee injury as it gets. In a freak accident on a routine drop-back rep, Bridgewater suffered a torn ACL, MCL, dislocated knee cap, and ruptured his patellar tendon, while also suffering nerve damage in his knee. Basically Teddy’s career was over, and there was a chance he may even lose his leg. Thankfully, that was not the story.

Bridgewater would go on to miss the entire 2016-17 season, the entire 2017 offseason, and 16 games of the 2017-18 season. But in the final minutes of the Vikings last home game against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 17, the impossible happened. And the moment was one of the most incredible in NFL history.

Cardinal fans knew how special of a player Teddy Bridgewater was during his time at Louisville. Whether it was playing through a sprained ankle, and broken hand to take down Rutgers, or staying after practice to sign every single last autograph, Bridgewater was the real deal.

Minnesota fans and players quickly fell in love with Teddy as well, and there couldn’t have been a worst player to have this injury happen to.

But because of his love for the game, and his personal faith in God, Teddy knew he’d be able to come back, and sure enough.. he did. After a few weeks of uncertainty in free agency, Bridgewater inked a one year, $15 million deal with the New York Jets to compete for the starting job.

Though the Jets traded up in the 2018 NFL Draft to the third overall pick, to likely draft another quarterback, Bridgewater

“But because of his love for the game, and his personal faith in God, Teddy knew he’d be able to back, and sure enough… he did

will finally get a chance to become an NFL

starter. Bridgewater was a pro bowler

back in 2015, his last season as the Vikings starter, after throwing for 3,231 yards

and 14 touchdowns in just his second NFL season.

Bridgewater will have one year to get back to his former self, a task that seems tall at this point, seeing as how there are reports he may not be healthy enough to compete in offseason workouts.

But if there was ever a player who could beat doubt and heavy expectations, its our guy, Teddy Bridgewater.

Next: Jordan Nwora’s potential impact in 2018-19

This NFL offseason has certainty had a lot of good come from it for former Louisville players, and unfortunately some bad as well. The next NFL season will be one to follow for Cards fans.