Teddy Bridgewater isn't to the point where he could start selling tickets to the gun show, but the second-year QB is noticeably a bit bigger this year, the long sleeves he wears under his practice jersey a little snugger.
After Bridgewater tipped the scales at 208 pounds last season, the Vikings instructed him to hit the gym this offseason to pack some more pounds on his frame. They didn't want him maxing out like an Olympic powerlifter. They just wanted him to pack a few more pounds on, not exceeding 215.
"There were things we asked him to get into in the weight room to get bigger and really more sturdy," coach Mike Zimmer said after the walkthrough today. "Because he was a little bit thin, I guess is the best way to say it."
Bridgewater's thinner frame concerned some teams when he came out for the draft. But the Vikings are confident that the 6-foot-3 quarterback will be able to fill out enough that they won't have to worry too much about injury.
Bridgewater didn't reveal whether he was able to get all the way to 215 pounds. But he seemed pleased with the work he put in this offseason.
"I was able to put on some weight. Most of it was muscle," he said. "I've been trying to make sure that I'm building myself up to withstand the hits I'm going to take all year and withstand the long season that's ahead."
Bridgewater said the added muscle will also help improve his throwing velocity, assuming, of course, that he can maintain proper technique.
"It allows me to have more zip on the ball, but also that comes with technique," he said. "Sometimes I drop my elbow too low and the ball may sail on me. So some of it is muscle and strength. The other half is technique."
