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May 1 (UPI) -- A catastrophic knee injury might mean the end of Teddy Bridgewater's career with the Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network, ESPN, and USA Today reported Monday that the Vikings' decided not to pick up the fifth-year of Bridgewater's rookie pact.
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Bridgewater, 24, tore his ACL, dislocated his knee, and suffered other structural damage to his leg last August. Shortly after the injury, Minnesota pulled off a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire Sam Bradford in exchange for a 2017 first round draft pick and a conditional fourth round pick in 2018.
The Vikings had until Tuesday to make a decision on Bridgewater's deal. His 2018 salary was booked for at least $11 million.
Bridgewater was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 when he passed for 3,231 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He is 17-11 as a starting quarterback, leading the 2015 Vikings to an NFC North division title.
Bridgewater was the No. 32 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Louisville product is due $1.3 million in 2017 before hitting free agency next offseason. The Vikings could still decide to give him the franchise tag or a contract extension.
Bradford, 29, is also playing on the final year of a two-year, $36 million contract. His deal includes $26 million guaranteed. This season Bradford is due $13 million, with an additional $4 million roster bonus.
Bradford, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, completed a league-best 71.6 perecent of his passes last season for a career-high 3,877 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He had a 7-8 record as a starter. The Vikings got out to a fast start in 2016, winning its first five games. Minnesota then lost six of its next seven games.
