Lions
Who is Teddy Bridgewater, the QB coming out of retirement to play for the Detroit Lions?
The Lions signed formerly retired QB Teddy Bridgewater to the squad ahead of the playoffs, just after he led his high school alma mater to a state title.
The Detroit Lions are bringing back a familiar face to the roster just ahead of the playoffs. The Lions, at 13-2, are in the lead in the NFC North and the NFC conference. They have an opportunity this week to seal both those top spots if everything goes right. Regardless, the Lions are in the postseason as the team to beat in the NFC, and ahead of their run, they’ve re-signed Teddy Bridgewater, who retired last year to coach high school football at his alma mater.
Who is Teddy Bridgewater?
Bridgewater was Jared Goff’s backup for the Lions in 2023, but he did not appear in any games and announced his retirement at the end of the NFL season. He went on to pursue a career as a football coach at the high school he used to attend, Miami Northwestern.
In his first year, he brought the team to a 12-2 record and won the Florida 3A state championship, shutting out Raines 41-10.
Now that he’s done that, Bridgewater will be returning to Detroit as Goff’s backup again, alongside Hendon Hooker and Jake Fromm.
Bridgewater played college football at the University of Louisville. He brought the Cardinals to victory over Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl before entering the NFL Draft in 2014.
He was selected as the final pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He began as the backup to Matt Cassel, and became the starter early on when Cassel broke his foot. In his second season, he led the Vikings to an NFC North title and earned Pro Bowl honors.
Unfortunately, he suffered an injury to his leg ahead of his third NFL season, which altered the course of the rest of his career. He appeared in just one game over the following two NFL seasons.
In 2018, Bridgewater joined the New Orleans Saints as the backup to Drew Brees, making his first start since 2015 against the Carolina Panthers after the Saints had already locked the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, and one interception in the 33-14 loss.
Bridgewater later had starting roles for the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos before serving as the backup for the Miami Dolphins and finally, the Lions in 2023.
Bridgewater’s reunion with the Lions
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the return of Bridgewater on Thursday.
“I’ve been in contact with Teddy and it was something that was always potentially a possibility,” Campbell said. “And we all know what Teddy has been doing down there and giving back to his community.”
Campbell says that adding Bridgewater to the quarterback room is nothing against Hooker, but mentioned that the playoffs are “a different world”, so adding more depth to the position is just a smart move for Detroit. He also mentioned that although Bridgewater didn’t start for the Lions, he did serve as a mentor for young offensive players.
“It’s great for our team,” Campbell said. “I think everybody in that locker room respects Teddy and what he stands for and type of human being he is, but also type of player.
“It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence,” he continued. “Somebody that’s great for our team. He’s great for the position.”
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