Major Changes Take Hold During Vikings Pre-Season
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Vikings are introducing fans to a lot of new things, including the coach, the quarterback and the stadium.
A new temporary home makes for a semi-exciting pre-season opener.
Friday night starts a new era in many ways.
Mike Zimmer gets to make all the calls as the head coach, not least of which is who plays and who is on the bench.
And he's looking for versatile athletes.
"Really it's just, right now, it's about figuring out what guys can do. And the more you can do, the more value you have to this football team," Zimmer said.
Then there is the new stadium, kind of.
TCF Bank is the new rental.
And while it may make a difference to the fans, it doesn't make a difference to the players.
"It's outdoors. I think it's going to be a lot of fun here. Early, getting outside having, that football atmosphere outside," Vikings Tight End, Kylr Rudolph, said.
And it will be the first NFL competition for Teddy Bridgewater.
While, many hope it's the start of a prosperous career, Bridgewater just wants to survive.
"It's a dream come true.To finally be able to play your game in the National Football League. I've been playing football since I was 5-years-old. And I've been waiting on this moment. Right now, I'm just pretty excited. Can't wait," Bridgewater said.
So let training camp give way to the pre-season.
The Vikings are back, and learning on the fly.
"For all of our guys, on both sides of the ball, we still got to keep fine-tuning these techniques, because everything is new for, really, everybody on the football team," Zimmer said.