Welcome back, Teddy Bridgewater. After teasing his return last week, Bridgewater is coming out of retirement to sign with the Detroit Lions, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo.
Teddy Bridgewater Signing With The Lions
QB Teddy Bridgewater coming out of retirement, expected to sign with Lions. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @MikeGarafolo ) pic.twitter.com/PK6ShszNKO
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2024
On Dec. 17’s edition of The Insiders, Bridgewater teased his return to the NFL, saying his plan was to sign with a team for a playoff push before returning to Miami Northwestern High School to coach their football team.
“That’s the plan. My team knows that’s the plan,” Bridgewater said. “We wanted to win a state championship and then coach goes back to the league, see what happens, and then come back February in the offseason, continue coaching high school football. We’ll see how it plays out.”
Bridgewater, 32, retired from the NFL in February 2024 to coach his alma mater. In his first season, Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern to the Division 3A Florida High School Athletic Association championship earlier this month.
Bridgewater last played for the Lions during the 2023 season.
Bridgewater holds a 33-32 record as a starter. In 79 games, Bridgewater has thrown for 15,120 yards, 75 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions.
On The Insiders, here is Teddy Bridgewater dropping the news that he plans to make a return to the NFL now that his HS state title is locked in. pic.twitter.com/6XvfT5Zri8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2024
Lions Add Veteran Bridgewater Before Playoff Run
Coach Campbell on Teddy Bridgewater pic.twitter.com/UEDA77T35q
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 26, 2024
There is no quarterback controversy in Detroit. Jared Goff is the starter, and Hendon Hooker remains the backup. Bridgewater will likely be the third-string/emergency quarterback.
With the Lions (13-2) about to embark on a playoff run, head coach Dan Campbell believes Bridgewater brings a “veteran presence” to the team and the quarterback room.
“I’ve been in contact with Teddy for a while. It was something that was always potentially a possibility,” Campbell told reporters on Thursday. “We all know what Teddy’s been doing down there and giving back to his community. They won a championship down there, so his debut at coaching worked out pretty dang good.
“But to be able to get somebody back here that’s got experience – he’s staying in shape, he’s been throwing, just get him worked back in here a little bit,” Campbell continued. “It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence, somebody that’s great for our team, great for the position.”
The Detroit Lions play the San Francisco 49ers (6-9) in Week 17 on Monday Night Football.
