After One Year with Buccaneers, Bridgewater Retires from the NFL
Teddy Bridgewater is retiring once again from professional football after just one season as Tampa Bay's backup quarterback. The move brings to an end a 13-year career that saw the former Vikings first-round draft pick overcome significant injury challenges.
After a brief reunion with the Detroit Lions earlier this year, where he spent a full NFL season despite minimal playing time, Bridgewater opted to step away for good, stating his main concern was not disappointing the team. The quarterback's retirement comes as a shock given that he had just returned from an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign.
Career highlights: He posted a 33-32 starter record with 66.3% completions, passing for 15,182 yards and 75 touchdowns before his second retirement.Bridgewater's Injury: The Turning Point of His Career
The turning point in Bridgewater’s football journey was in 2016 when he suffered a career-threatening injury; a non-contact left knee dislocation that tore several ligaments, including ACL. This injury nearly derailed his entire NFL career, forcing him to miss the full 2016 season and only playing a few snaps in one game during the 2017 campaign.
Return to Playing: A New Team Last Season
In March, Bridgewater briefly reunited with the Detroit Lions, signing on as Baker Mayfield's backup. However, this return was short-lived; he was placed on the reserve/retired list early in the 2025 season, ending his playing career.
The impact on Lions: With starter Jared Goff and rookie Luke Altmyer behind him, head coach Dan Campbell faces a difficult task finding reliable backup options for the upcoming season starting just weeks away.Frequently Asked Questions
Will Bridgewater return to coaching high school football?
Teddy Bridgewater's most likely next venture is back on the sidelines, this time as head coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School where he led the program to a Class 3A state title.
What does this mean for Detroit Lions' backup QB plans?
The sudden decision forces the Lions to quickly explore new options in the upcoming free agency and draft, with Bridgewater's departure leaving no clear veteran presence behind Goff on the depth chart.