Bridgewater's contract status unclear due to time spent on PUP list

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could become a free agent during the 2018 signing period, a decision that will ultimately be left up to the NFL and NFLPA, general manager Rick Spielman said Thursday via ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

Bridgewater started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list but was cleared to return to practice Oct. 16. It's unclear whether Bridgewater's contract will be tolled for next season due to his time spent on the PUP list. If it is tolled, Bridgewater is eligible to become a free agent.

Spielman said the decision is out of his jurisdiction.

"If it goes into that area, it's not a Minnesota Viking (decision), that's an NFL and player union that will have to decide that area," Spielman said.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said he's unclear about how the contract tolling will unfold, but said the union has access to Bridgewater's medical records if it turns into a legal issue.

"The tolling agreement is inextricably tied, when it comes to that last year and in the Bridgewater case, one of the critical issues is whether he was medically cleared or medically able to play," Smith said. "We'll continue to look at that issue, we stay in touch with his agent."