The Detroit Lions will officially need a new backup quarterback next season. The Portal 305 reported on Instagram that Teddy Bridgewater will retire from the NFL and become the head coach at Miami Northwestern High School.
The school is Bridgewater’s alma mater.
The news doesn’t come as a major surprise. Bridgewater told The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett in December that he planned to retire and coach high school football in Florida next season.
Bridgewater leaves the Lions after one season. He appeared in 1 game for Detroit — a 42-24 victory against during Week 5.
He didn’t attempt a pass. Bridgewater handed the ball off and took 2 kneel downs on his 3 snaps.
Bridgewater received a lot more playing time early in his career. He went 33-32 as a starter, including 11-5 in 2015 when he made the Pro Bowl.
In addition to the Lions, Bridgewater played for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins during his 10-year career.
Teddy Bridgewater Came to Detroit for 1 Season
Bridgewater served as the backup quarterback for the Saints in 2018 and 2019. During those seasons, Campbell was the team’s assistant head coach and tight ends coach.
Without that connection, Bridgewater may have already been coaching high school kids in 2023.
“I was really like content with being done,” Bridgewater told Birkett in December. “And it wasn’t really like much that went into it, it was just I felt healthy, I could walk away on my own terms and that was that. But when Dan, like we talked, and we talked, and we talked, and we talked, and it was like, ‘Man, all right, Dan, I got you.'”
Campbell convinced Bridgewater that there was teaching he could do with the Lions.
“He was like, ‘Man, I’m telling you, man, you’ll make a huge impact in Hendon and Jamo’s life just being here,” said Bridgewater.
“Dan, yeah, but I’m going to come here for those two guys as well. So I’m close to Hard Time (Alexander), but Hendon and Jamo, I tell them all the time you’re the reason I signed here.”
With Bridgewater’s departure, third-round pick Hendon Hooker will likely assume the backup quarterback role in Detroit. Hooker didn’t play during his rookie season.
He spent most of 2023 on the non-football injury list after tearing his left ACL in college in November 2022. He began practicing for the Lions during late November 2023.
Lions Assistants Don’t Land New Coaching Opportunities
While Bridgewater will not return to the Lions, two assistant coaches are inching closer to coming back.
Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El both interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator job. But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Buccaneers are hiring Kentucky offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Liam Coen for the role.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported the Seattle Seahawks have requested to interview Engstrand for their offensive coordinator position. So, Engstrand could still potentially leave.
But Randle El hasn’t received any other outside interest. Furthermore, the Seahawks could have a lot of candidates for offensive coordinator.
If Engstrand and Randle El both return, the Lions could bring back their entire offensive coaching staff from a team that finished third in yards and fifth in points.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson received a lot of interest for head coaching roles in January. But Johnson elected to return to Detroit.
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Teddy Bridgewater Makes Final Call on Football Future: Report