Teddy Bridgewater Steps Away From Lions, Set To Retire. What To Know

Teddy Bridgewater is likely headed for retirement.

The veteran journeyman quarterback informed the Detroit Lions that he plans to step away from the team, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Aug. 9. The 33-year-old was in line to be Detroit's backup behind starter Jared Goff.

Bridgewater signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal with the Lions in March. The Lions officially placed the quarterback on the reserve/retired list following Campbell's announcement.

Undrafted free agent rookie Luke Altmyer is the lone quarterback on the Lions' roster outside of Goff. Rapoport reported the Lions will "work out a few QBs" in the coming days and weeks.

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Teddy Bridgewater's first retirement included coaching stint, legislation change

It would be a second retirement for Bridgewater, if this sticks The Lions' quarterback previously announced his intention to retire in 2023, during his first stint in Detroit. Bridgewater told the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY network, at the time that he planned to coach high school football after his retirement.

In February 2024, he took the head coaching job at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School in Florida. During Bridgewater's first season as head coach, he led the team to a 12-2 record and a Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title.

The quarterback's first retirement and high school coaching career was brief. He re-signed with the Lions in December 2024 and appeared for three plays in the team's divisional round game against the Washington Commanders.

In 2025, Bridgewater said he had been suspended from his job at Miami Northwestern for providing impermissible benefits to players: $14,000 for training camp and thousands of dollars per week on Uber rides, athlete recovery services and pre-game meals, according to a report from USA TODAY High School Sports.

The quarterback ultimately committed to a return to the NFL last year after his coaching suspension, signing a one-year, $1.255 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He appeared in four games, going 8-for-15 on pass attempts for 62 yards. He also tallied three rushes for four yards.

In May, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Teddy Bridgewater Act," which allows high school coaches in Florida to pay up to $15,000 out of pocket to support athletes. The newly permissible funds allow for providing transportation and food to high school student-athletes.

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Teddy Bridgewater career stats

Bridgewater played 11 seasons in the NFL. After two seasons as a starter for the Minnesota Vikings, including a Pro Bowl year in 2015, a freak non-contact knee injury in training camp in 2016 largely derailed his career.

Bridgewater eventually returned to a full-time starter role for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and Denver Broncos in 2021, but seven of his 11 pro seasons were spent mostly as a backup. Here are the full stats from his career:

• Games (starts): 83 (65)
• Record: 33-32
• Completion rate: 1,380-for-2,082 (66.3%)
• Passing yards: 15,182
• Touchdowns: 75
• Interceptions: 47
• Passer rating: 90.3
• Rushing stats: 224 attempts for 848 yards (3.8 yards per attempt) and 11 rushing touchdowns

This story has been updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teddy Bridgewater steps away from Lions, set to retire. What to know