Bridgewater calls 2017 his 'favorite season by far'

Teddy Bridgewater attempted just two passes in 2017 - and one of them was intercepted - yet he savored his fourth official NFL campaign like no other.

"It was probably my favorite season by far, even though I didn't play much," the Minnesota Vikings quarterback told Courtney Cronin of ESPN. "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."

Bridgewater, a former first-round pick, saw plenty of action during his first two years with the Vikings before a devastating knee injury wiped out his entire third season. By the time he was cleared to return in 2017, Case Keenum had seized Minnesota's starting quarterback job, ultimately leading the Vikings to an NFC Championship Game appearance.

"It gave me a different role and I accepted it," Bridgewater said. "It was one that was hard to accept because I'm a competitor, but I wouldn't trade this year for nothing."

Bridgewater added that the backup role made him a better player.

"It helped me from a mental standpoint where I was studying," he explained. "As the number two, you have to always stay ready, stay locked in. That was different for me because I had never been in that position. But it helped me because I saw the game from a different view. The game has slowed down so much because I could see it from the sidelines."

Bridgewater said earlier in the offseason that he expects to be a starter again in 2018. Meanwhile, his injury situation has created uncertainty about whether he'll be granted free agency in March.