EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – When Sam Bradford abruptly joined the Vikings in early September, the most familiar face in the building was Pat Shurmur, then serving as the tight ends coach.
Bradford spoke then about the rapport he had built with Shurmur as his offensive coordinator in both St. Louis and Philadelphia. He didn't know at the time that Shurmur would become his offensive coordinator for the third time just eight weeks later when Norv Turner stepped down, but Bradford said he was just grateful for another chance to work with Shurmur.
"I just really enjoy working with him," Bradford told Twin Cities media members Wednesday. "I think he has a great mind. I've learned a lot from him.
"I owe a lot to Pat," Bradford added. "And it has been really fun getting back and having him call the plays."
Bradford, who's thrown for 3,627 yards and has a chance Sunday to **break the NFL record** for a season's completion percentage, credited Shurmur with helping ease the transition into a new team.
The quarterback said he found it easier to relate to terminology that Shurmur used, and it was beneficial to "get back together and play in that offense."
Shurmur believes the reason he and Bradford have connected the way they have is because of when that relationship first started. Shurmur's first season as an offensive coordinator was 2009 with the Rams, who drafted Bradford No. 1 overall the following season.
"We were sort of growing together," Shurmur said. "I was growing as a coordinator, he was a first-round-pick rookie, a Heisman trophy winner and a guy that had a lot of success.
"We're constantly communicating about things that are good, things that we like, things that [Sam] sees that might make us better," Shurmur continued. "So there's a constant communication, and I think that's the foundation of all relationships."
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that it's too early to make any long-term assessments of Shurmur in his eight weeks as interim offensive coordinator. He did offer, however, that he thinks Shurmur has been effective.
"The statistics since he's taken over are a lot better," Zimmer said. "I keep a list of statistics from when he started and prior to that. Most every area has improved."
Zimmer also said this week that he's been pleased by the way Bradford has handled difficult circumstances.
"Yeah, I think, honestly, if you sat back and looked at all the things – being traded, trying to learn a new system, having a new coach, having to learn teammates – all these things that he's had to deal with. Injuries on offense," Zimmer said. "I thought he's done an unbelievable job. He's got a chance to break a NFL record for completion percentage. His quarterback rating is the highest it's been in his career. Maybe this is the best year he's ever had. If you put all those together and look at the things he's had to deal with, I think he's been amazing."
While Bradford said he would be "all for" Shurmur returning as Minnesota's offensive coordinator for the 2017 season, there will be time for those decisions during the offseason. The Vikings this week are concentrated only on finishing their season with a defeat of the Bears, and Shurmur said he doesn't approach Sunday's game as an audition for 2017.
"I view this as another opportunity to try to do what I can to help put the players in the best possible position they can be in so we can go out and score points and win a football game," Shurmur said. "And that's really what our focus is."
