Riders’ QB Brandon Bridge not worried about competition

Brandon Bridge is not sweating a little competition – especially when the competition is so familiar.

Many wondered what Bridge’s reaction may have been when the Roughriders traded for another young quarterback – Vernon Adams Jr. – last week, but Bridge said he’s cool with it.

“I can’t worry about whoever they bring in or whoever they don’t have here, it’s still a job. I’m still supposed to come here every day and work, so I’m going to go out here and showcase my talent,” he said, after the Roughriders’ practice at Leibel Field Monday morning.

“I think I just have to go out there and continue doing my job,” Bridge added. “I can only control whatever I can control.”

By now, Bridge and Adams are well acquainted. The pair played together along with Kevin Glenn in Montreal last year. When Bridge was released in 2016, he was snapped up by the Roughriders, while Glenn signed with the team in the off season.

Bridge said a friendship blossomed between him and Adams that continued – even after Bridge was cut by the Alouettes.

“We actually still talked throughout this whole season, and for him to come out here that brings back old times,” he said. “Obviously, both of us are competitors and everyone’s just going to compete.”

For Glenn, he said it felt like a reunion when the three of them walked into the quarterback room Monday morning.

“I was with those guys a year ago and now we’re back here together,” he said with a smile. “It’s like my two little brothers and they’re following their big brother everywhere.”

In fact, all three of the quarterbacks agreed that being back together had a déjà vu feeling to it.

“It’s crazy how it all works out,” Bridge said. “I remember in rookie year, me and him were talking like ‘Man, one of us is going to have to leave, to get out of here,’ so then I end up leaving and I remember during the year he was like ‘Man, I think I might get traded out of there’ – and, obviously, it just (came) full circle.”

Now, back in the same position, Bridge said they’re all working towards the same goal.

“It’ll be a good transition for (Adams) and it’ll be a good transition for our whole quarterback group.”