While Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has caught some heat in recent weeks for how he has chosen to go about conducting the club’s free-agency signings, there is a signing on the offensive side of the ball which, despite being initially announced earlier in the month, has now become official.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has officially been signed to a contract by the Lions, confirming his third tenure with the club, and once again, he’ll serve as backup to starter Jared Goff.
Bridgewater, who was the final first round pick of the 2014 NFL draft by the divisional rival Minnesota Vikings, previously played with the Lions over two separate tenures and spent last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who was with Bridgewater during their time together with the New Orleans Saints, openly spoke about his professionalism and his approach to the game that pays dividends for the team as a whole.
“That was something he did really good for us (in New Orleans),” Campbell said back in 2023. “He would come in the day before the game, and he would take those young receivers out, go through the whole game plan, tell them what they’re looking for. ‘Here is the coverage, here is what I’m thinking. How are you running this? No, I do not like that.’ He ran the scout teams, he was competitive, running cards. It was just awesome, man. He’s that type of guy, an unbelievable teammate. He’s a pro. He’s a vet. He handles his business.”
During his NFL career, Bridgewater has thrown for 15,182 passing yards with 75 touchdowns and a 90.3 passer rating.
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Teddy Bridgewater Is Back For A Third Tenure With The Detroit Lions
Bridgewater was originally selected by the Vikings in the first-round selection (32nd overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisville.
A native of Miami, Bridgewater attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where he would later be named the sixth best dual-threat quarterback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com while also suiting up in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Thanks to his accomplishments at the school, the football field would eventually be renamed in his honor.
Despite initially committing to the University of Miami, he later changed his mind and instead attended Louisville. After racking up 2,129 yards with 12 touchdowns, he would be named the Big East Rookie of the Year and also earned freshman All-American honors.
Eventually making it to the NFL with the Vikings, he would complete his rookie season by accumulating 2,919 passing yards while also throwing 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
After several seasons with the Vikings that also included a torn ACL that took extended time to heal, Minnesota declined the fifth-year option on his contract, and he chose to sign with the New York Jets.
He also spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins before joining the Lions in 2023.
Teddy Bridgewater Initially Retired After The 2023 NFL Season
After a single season with the Lions, which reunited him with head coach Dan Campbell from their time together in New Orleans, Bridgewater announced his retirement and took a job as head coach of Miami Northwestern.
However, the itch to play was still strong, and he announced a comeback and re-signed with the Lions in December 2024. He would be called into action during Detroit’s postseason loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round game, taking three snaps while starter Jared Goff was being evaluated for a concussion.
He spent last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing in four games.
Detroit Lions Officially Welcome Back Former QB For Another Tenure