Teddy is back!
After the Detroit Lions lost backup quarterback Kyle Allen to free agency—signing a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills—the Lions are bringing back veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. As first reported by NFL Network, Bridgewater is re-signing with the Lions after spending a year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As of this publishing, there are no available contract terms.
Bridgewater, who will turn 34 in November, has not started an NFL game since 2022, but he is viewed as a very strong locker room presence and mentor. Back when the Lions first signed Bridgewater in 2023, Lions coach Dan Campbell tasked Bridgewater with helping mentor young Lions receiver Jameson Williams.
“That was something he did really good for us (in New Orleans),” Campbell said back in 2023. “He would come in the day before the game, and he would take those young receivers out, go through the whole game plan, tell them what they’re looking for. ‘Here is the coverage, here is what I’m thinking. How are you running this? No, I do not like that.’ He ran the scout teams, he was competitive, running cards. It was just awesome, man. He’s that type of guy, an unbelievable teammate. He’s a pro. He’s a vet. He handles his business.”
Williams’ career took off shortly thereafter.
As for how Bridgewater can handle the Lions offense is something happens to Jared Goff? Well, there’s not a ton of proof one way or another. Bridgewater has thrown just 15 total passes in the past three seasons—going 8-for-15 for 62 yards in a single game appearance for Tampa last year.
Regardless, Bridgewater is a good person to have in the locker room. And in the meantime, the Lions can continue to look for a longer-term, younger backup quarterback.
Follow along with all of the latest Lions free agency news and rumors here. For a look at where the Lions’ offseason stands, check out our full 2026 Lions offseason tracker.
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