Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater: 'I have been overthinking'

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater says he has been thinking too much about his performance. Bridgewater, whom the Vikings selected with the No. 32 pick in this year's draft, is listed behind veteran Matt Cassel at quarterback on the team's depth chart.

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater says he has been thinking too much about his performance.

Bridgewater, whom the Vikings selected with the No. 32 pick in this year's draft, is listed behind veteran Matt Cassel at quarterback on the team's depth chart.

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In Minnesota's preseason opener against Oakland, Bridgewater completed 6-of-13 passes for 49 yards.

“He’s got so much going on in his mind right now that I just want him to play,” Coach Mike Zimmer said, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “That’s what I told him [Wednesday], and that’s what I’m going to tell him before the ballgame. Just go play. You’ve been doing this since you were 5 years old. Go play and have some fun. Throw the ball in there. If you make a mistake, we’ll fix it and go on.”

Apparently, Bridgewater has bought in.

“Basically, I have to stop overthinking,” he said. “I haven’t been pressing, but I have been overthinking.”

The Vikings' next preseason game is Saturday against Arizona. 

Minnesota opens the regular season Sept. 7 at St. Louis.

More: Minnesota Vikings preseason schedule, TV coverage

- Chris Johnson