Vikings aren't expected to exercise Teddy Bridgewater's 2018 team option, report says

The Vikings are not expected to exercise Teddy Bridgewater's pricey team option for the 2018 season, according to a Wednesday report from ESPN. But that does not necessarily mean the injured quarterback won't remain with the team past 2017.

The Vikings have until May 3 to officially pick up Bridgewater's fifth-year option, which would have a value of $12.2 million that would be guaranteed for injury only. ESPN cited an unnamed source that said "the injury guarantee makes it tough to do." The Vikings did not respond to Star Tribune requests for comment.

If the Vikings decline the option, 2017 would become the final year of his contract. But if Bridgewater starts training camp on the physically unable to perform list, which is the expectation at this point, and is not activated from the PUP list during the season, his contract would toll, adding another season of team control.

The Vikings also have the option of negotiating a new contract with Bridgewater, who has not spoken publicly since suffering a career-threatening knee injury in August.

Last week, Bridgewater joined his Vikings teammates at Winter Park for the start of the team's offseason workout program, and he continues to rehab his surgically-repaired left knee at the practice facility. On Tuesday, General Manager Rick Spielman again praised the 24-year-old quarterback for the way he has attacked his rehab.

"[Bridgewater] has been incredible," Spielman said. "He's been in here working as hard as anyone, fighting his way back. I wouldn't put it past that kid how quickly he can come back. But it's still unknown."

That uncertainty when it comes to Bridgewater's long-term prognosis and the risk that they might be on the hook for that $12.2 million if he remains sidelined ultimately could discourage the Vikings from picking up his option for 2018, especially if they know he still will be under contract if he is unable to return to the lineup in 2017.

In 2014, the Vikings traded back into the first round of the draft to get Bridgewater, in part because under the current collective bargaining agreement first-round picks come with an option for a fifth year of contractual control. But those options, which teams must exercise before the player's fourth season, are guaranteed for injury.

Last spring, the Vikings exercised their fifth-year option for defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, a 2013 first-round pick. Months later, Floyd was injured, had knee surgery in September and remains sidelined because of complications from that surgery. When he couldn't pass a physical by the start of the league year in March, his 2017 salary became guaranteed.

After experiencing that with Floyd, who otherwise might have been cut by the team this spring, the Vikings could be leery of risking something similar with Bridgewater.

Bridgewater's status also has kept fellow quarterback Sam Bradford in limbo, too.

Coach Mike Zimmer in January declared Sam Bradford his starter for 2017. But he is in the final year of his contract and indicated Tuesday that the Vikings had not reached out to his agent about an extension. The Vikings, while they wait for more answers on Bridgewater, might be reluctant to commit to Bradford for the long term.

Asked about the team's cloudy quarterback situation Tuesday, Spielman provided no clarity, saying, "Nothing is concrete. No decisions have been made."