The NFL is increasingly becoming a quarterback-driven league, and the Minnesota Vikings have perhaps the best young quarterback in the game in Teddy Bridgewater. As he continues to impress every week, it seems like there's no limit to his ceiling. Here are three reasons why he'll win the NFL MVP in the not so distant future:
3) Mobility in the pocket
Unlike most of the quarterbacks coming into the league today, Bridgewater uses his legs to extend plays and make throws to open receivers instead of putting their head down and running. It's something that makes Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson so effective, and while Bridgewater isn't on that level yet, he's shown the ability to do the kind of things those veterans do. Imagine what he'll look like with another two or three years under his belt.
2) Weapons around him
We may chose to believe otherwise, but no quarterback can be successful without a great supporting cast around him. Bridgewater has that, and this unit looks like it will stay intact for a long time. Running back Adrian Peterson (under contract for three years) makes opposing defenses respect the run, opening up passing lanes for Bridgewater, while tight end Kyle Rudolph (four years) and Mike Wallace (three years) have been his top two targets. He also showed great chemistry with rookie wideout Stefon Diggs in their loss to the Broncos last week, and this core group will continue to improve as they play together longer.
1) Poise
Bridgewater has shown both poise in the pocket (along with a willingness to take a big hit to make a throw) and late in games, both of which have made him wildly successful to this point in his career. He already has pulled off four fourth-quarter comebacks in his first 17 games as a starter, a number that will almost certainly rise as he gets more experience.