Teddy Bridgewater’s Return: A New Chapter with the Detroit Lions
In a surprising twist that has the NFL buzzing, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is stepping back onto the field, coming out of retirement to sign with the Detroit Lions. This news, confirmed by a source to ESPN, marks a significant turn in Bridgewater’s career, which has seen its fair share of ups and downs.
Just last week, Bridgewater expressed his desire to return to the NFL after achieving a remarkable feat off the field. He led Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his alma mater, to the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title earlier this month. “My team knows that’s the plan. 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,” he shared with NFL Network’s “The Insiders” last week.
Bridgewater, now 32, spent the previous season as the Lions’ backup quarterback, playing second fiddle to starter Jared Goff. His journey back to the NFL is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to his enduring passion for the game.
After hanging up his cleats, Bridgewater took on a new challenge in February, becoming the head coach at Miami Northwestern. The program had struggled with a 4-6 record the previous season, but under Bridgewater’s leadership, they turned things around spectacularly. Miami Northwestern finished the season with a 12-2 record, outscoring opponents 262-12 in five playoff games and ending on a 10-game winning streak. This remarkable turnaround not only showcased Bridgewater’s leadership skills but also his ability to inspire and motivate young athletes.
Bridgewater’s NFL journey began as a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. However, his promising career was derailed by a devastating injury—a torn ACL and dislocated knee during training camp in 2016. This injury sidelined him for the entire season and most of 2017, leading to his departure from the Vikings. Despite these setbacks, Bridgewater’s resilience shone through as he continued his career with the New Orleans Saints (2018-19), where he spent two seasons. He then started 29 games over two seasons for the Carolina Panthers (2020) and Denver Broncos (2021). In 2022, he served as Tua Tagovailoa‘s backup with the Miami Dolphins, though injuries limited his playtime once again. Last season, he signed with the Lions and made a brief appearance to kneel out a victory.
As Bridgewater prepares to rejoin the Lions, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this next chapter unfolds. Will he bring the same leadership and determination that turned around a high school football program to the NFL field? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Bridgewater’s return is a story of resilience and passion that resonates with many.
- Bridgewater’s NFL Career Highlights:
- First-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014
- Overcame a major knee injury in 2016
- Played for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos
- Served as a backup for the Miami Dolphins in 2022
- Spent last season with the Detroit Lions
As the NFL Network first reported, Bridgewater is expected to sign with the Lions, and fans are eagerly awaiting official confirmation. This move could potentially shake up the Lions’ quarterback dynamics and add depth to their roster.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN
