Getty Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater told The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett he plans to retire at the end of the season.
Veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t been part of a team who won an NFL playoff game since 2018. The 2023 Detroit Lions will apparently be his final opportunity to experience that again.
The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett reported on December 16 that Bridgewater told him he plans to retire at the end of the season.
“I’m just really appreciative that I’m in Year 10. I tell everyone this is my last year, so I’m in my final year and I’m just enjoying it all, man,” Bridgewater told Birkett.
Bridgewater said he plans to coach high school football next season.
He has spent the past 10 years in the NFL playing for six different teams. Bridgewater owns a career record of 33-32 as an NFL starter.
Lions’ Teddy Bridgewater to Retire After 2024 Season
With Bridgewater publicly revealing his plans to retire, it’s possible that fans won’t see the 31-year-old quarterback on the field again.
He’s played just 3 snaps this season, all of which came in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. Two of those snaps were kneel downs for the veteran signal caller.
All backup quarterbacks are one injury away from entering the lineup. But Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff has made 31 straight starts. Since becoming a starter in 2016, Goff has sat out only 5 games.
Bridgewater may only see playing time the rest of the season if the Lions get another big lead as they did against the Panthers.
In addition to the Lions, Bridgewater has played for the Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. He has started at least two games for every team except Detroit.
Bridgewater began his career as the No. 32 overall pick of the Vikings in the 2014 NFL draft. He led the Vikings to an 11-5 record in his second season, but the following offseason, Bridgewater sustained a left torn ACL and other structural damage, including a dislocated knee. The injury appeared to be career-threatening.
The quarterback missed almost two seasons recovering, and he never started again in Minnesota.
Bridgewater, though, doesn’t dwell on what could have been with the Vikings.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Bridgewater told Birkett. “Injuries, highs, lows, the success, the failures. It all, it builds character, and that’s what it did for me.
“Like I never look like, ‘Oh man, what if?’ Nah. Whatever was meant for me, it played out the exact way it was meant. And I’m still with that mindset every day.”
Bridgewater’s Impact in One Season With Lions
While Bridgewater has only taken 3 snaps, his impact on the Lions has been much greater.
The 10-year veteran has been a positive influence on a lot of young Lions players, including wide receiver Jameson Williams and quarterback Hendon Hooker, who is currently going through his own injury rehab.
“Teddy’s been unbelievable for a lot of people here,” Campbell told reporters on December 14. “He’s a huge asset for us, aside from the obvious, which is if we need him, he’s a guy that can go in and win for us.
“But, man, he does so many things behind the scenes that I think a lot of people don’t even realize. He’s a valuable asset for our team.”
“I really can’t explain it, but he just did so much good for me just me knowing him the couple months I knew him,” Williams told Birkett. “A lot of people from where we’re from or a lot of people from around the world don’t get a chance, but he just make sure the ones who do stay on the right track and don’t fall off.”