Vikings Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater using Madden NFL to prepare for his rookie season

Mandatory minicamp? Forget that. New Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is taking virtual reps using the Madden NFL. 

Speaking to ESPN, the first round pick explained that he's imported the Vikings' playbook into the popular football video game so that he can take "virtual reps" against the defense he's expecting to see in games. Apparently, Bridgewater used the same approach during his time at Louisville.

“It helps because you get one more rep than you had in practice, actual practice,” Bridgewater said. “Any chance you get to take an extra rep or go the extra step, extra mile, it’s going to be very beneficial transferring it to the field.”

"I try to take as many reps as I can, whether it's on a video game, playing EA Madden Football or in the playbook, just drawing it or just visualizing it in my head," Bridgewater continued. "I try to just maximize every rep I can get and every opportunity that I can take."

Bridgewater was one of three quarterbacks taken in the first round, behind former UCF Knights QB Blake Bortles and former Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel, who now play for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns, respectively. Earlier this month, we asked EA which of the three would be highest rated and though Bridgewater is "fun to use," Bortles technically has the best rating.

I wonder what quarterback Bridgewater is using in his games right now.