I don't think we've heard the last of this "TOLLING" issue w/Bridgewater

I tell you what, this whole contract situation with the Minnesota Vikings' quarterbacks has ebbed and flowed more than the ocean does on a daily basis. The Vikings obviously didn't plan it that way, but my goodness, it's hard to keep track.

Today's latest development was a resurfaced awkwardness surrounding the "tolling" potential tucked inside Teddy Bridgewater's contract. 

For a full refresher on what tolling is and why it pertains to Teddy Bridgewater, go back and read this article from November where we broke it down. To summarize, the Vikings might have an opportunity to basically "medical red-shirt" the final year of Teddy Bridgewater's contract if they so choose. He would then have what would equate to a repeat of the final year in his contract this upcoming season and the Vikings could retain him for only $1.345 million. That would allow them to get creative and/or aggressive looking for another quarterback through free agency or the draft.

I had been told by a source close to the situation a few months back that the tolling issue should not pertain to Teddy's particular situation, but that was before the situation with Case Keenum got a whole lot more expensive after getting to an NFC Championship game.

Now, listening to General Manager Rick Spielman once again skirt around the issue of tolling at a media briefing at the Mall of America this morning, I'm more than convinced that the issue of tolling when it comes to Teddy Bridgewater is more than back on the table for the Vikings to explore.

At today's briefing it was in fact Rick Spielman who brought up the topic of tolling when asked about Teddy's contract situation, not the media. 

Here's what he said,

"Right now he's technically able to become a free agent," Spielman said of Teddy Bridgewater. "With the tolling...if it goes into that area, that's not a MN Vikings [decision]. That's an NFL and player Union that will have to decide that area."

Needled a bit further about the topic, Spielman quickly deflected and said "I'm not going to comment any further on it," leaving the exact status of that situation right there on the table, an elephant in the room.

You can hear that conversation at the 3:16 mark of the Audio player below...

This response, previous hesitant responses and they present situation of quarterbacks on the Vikings roster have to leave us all believing that an attempt to toll Bridgewater's final year is on the table for the Vikings. It all sounds like they are attempting to keep their cards close to their vest in an effort to prepare to explore that potential.

If this topic of conversation were not an issue being explored inside of Winter Park right now you could just come out and say "we are not tolling Teddy's contract". There's no harm in that. You don't lose leverage on the free agency market, you don't put yourself in a bad spot with the NFLPA or the player himself, nothing happens you just clarify.

That's exactly why we need to keep watching this situation. The decision to toll could play out to benefit the team in a big way. With no answer at quarterback right now, why not explore it.