The Minnesota Vikings found out yesterday that the cost of doing business in the NFL can be costly. 

After losing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater last week to a season ending knee injury, the Vikings traded a 2017 first round pick and a 2018 fourth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford.

Bradford signed a two year extension with the Eagles this off-season to be the place holder while Carson Wentz developed. It appears the Eagles were comfortable with starting Wentz because GM Howie Roseman announced yesterday that if Wentz is healthy, he’ll be the Eagles starting quarterback this season.

The Vikings paid a steep price for Bradford but they had to. They are built to win now and they weren’t going to win with Shaun Hill as their quarterback. Despite some injury concerns in the past, Bradford is an obvious upgrade over Hill.

I’m sure giving up so much for Bradford was a bitter pill for Vikings general manager Rick Speilman to swallow. He didn’t have a choice however. Bridgewater’s knee injury is serious. So serious in fact that he may miss a part of the 2017 season.

Giving up future first rounders is tough. However, the time is now in Minnesota. The window only stays open for long. When it closes, it takes a while to open it again. The Vikings have to take advantage of this window. That’s why they made this deal.