EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Teddy Bridgewater started every game at quarterback for the Vikings this season, and his performances maintained a level of confidence that he is Minnesota's quarterback moving forward.

Barring an injury, it's a safe bet that Bridgewater will start every game during the 2016 season, too.

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said as much during his final press conference on Jan. 12.

"Teddy is our quarterback," Zimmer said. "He's going to be our quarterback, and there's no doubt about that going forward."

There were plenty of positives in Bridgewater's second season in purple, when he became the first Vikings QB to start all 16 games since Christian Ponder in 2012.

His 11-5 mark pushed him to 17-11 as a starter, placing him in a tie with Warren Moon and Brett Favre for most wins in a player's first two seasons with the Vikings. Bridgewater reached 17 wins in fewer games that Moon or Favre.

Bridgewater started 12 games in 2014, setting rookie franchise marks in completions, attempts, completion percentage and passer rating.

The former Louisville standout took another step forward in 2015.

Bridgewater threw for 3,132 yards and 14 touchdowns while his 65.3 completion percentage was an increase from 64.4 percent in 2014. He also scored a trio of touchdowns on the ground.

Bridgewater raised his overall passer rating from 85.2 to 88.7, and Bridgewater raised his third-down passer rating from 95.2 as a rookie to 98.8, which was eighth-best in the NFL in 2015.

He experienced highs, such as throwing for a career-high four touchdowns and rushing for another in a win against Chicago. Bridgewater became the first Vikings quarterback since Daunte Culpepper in 2004 to account for five touchdowns in a single game and the first to throw for four scores and rush for another since Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton in Minnesota's first game.

The 23-year-old also had a stellar performance in a 23-20 loss to Arizona in which he threw for a career-high 335 yards.

Yet Bridgewater also struggled at times, mainly in a 38-7 loss to the Seahawks in Week 13 in which he threw for just 118 yards.

Bridgewater was joined on the roster by veteran Shaun Hill and rookie Taylor Heinicke. Hill returned to the Vikings, where his career began in 2002, after spending the previous eight years with three organizations.

Hill served as Bridgewater's backup in 2015, appearing in three games while completing two of seven passes for 15 yards.

Heinicke didn't appear in any regular season games after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion University. 

Bridgewater said he wasn't completely satisfied with a season in which the Vikings won the NFC North for the first time since 2009. He said he expects to make even more progress next season.

"Now it's time to take that extra step," Bridgewater said on Jan. 11. "Just having that same focus and intensity … being a great leader around this locker room and with the coaching staff."

One area Bridgewater said he wants to improve is being more vocal, whether that's in the huddle, at practice or in the locker room. 

"That's something that I'll continue to work on," Bridgewater said. "The guys know that I'm a genuine guy when I do say something and that it speaks volumes.

"I'm in a position right now where I get to lead a group of men in this locker room. I'm glad to be in this position."

Zimmer said he, too, expects Bridgewater to raise his game in his third-year in league. The head coach, who will also be in his third year with the organization, believes Bridgewater has all of the tools to succeed.

"There's not one thing I don't love about this kid," Zimmer said. "He's got the right demeanor, the right heart, the right competitiveness and he's a worker. He makes quick decisions and so, we need to continue to move forward with him and keep going."

The chart below shows passing statistics for the Vikings and their opponents in 2015.