NFL veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has announced his retirement from the game once more. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared this news with reporters, noting that Bridgewater stepped away from training camp while vying for a backup role to Jared Goff.
The Lions placed Bridgewater on the reserve/retired list before their Sunday practice session. Campbell expressed that he believes Bridgewater’s decision to retire could be permanent this time, highlighting that Bridgewater’s concern was the possibility of letting the team down.
“I think he can only truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it’s at for sure right now,” Campbell stated, according to ESPN.
Following Bridgewater’s retirement, the Lions quickly signed quarterback Josh Dobbs to a $1.425 million contract, with $475,000 guaranteed as reported by NFL Network. Dobbs, who is familiar with Detroit from his time on the practice squad in 2022, adds a dual-threat capability as opposed to Goff’s pocket-passing style.
Bridgewater initially joined the Lions as an unrestricted free agent in March, after a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025. He was expected to serve as Goff’s backup again.
Throughout his career, Bridgewater has been valued for his mentorship skills, working effectively as a backup and supporting the starting quarterback. His role in helping Goff develop as one of the league’s top passers in Detroit’s dynamic offensive system showcased this ability.
Bridgewater was a first-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. In his second season, he made the Pro Bowl with a record of 11-5, throwing for 3,231 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, his career faced a major setback with a severe knee injury in 2016, affecting his trajectory as a starting quarterback.
After recovering, Bridgewater played for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos, before having a challenging season with the Miami Dolphins in 2022.
If Bridgewater’s retirement is final, his career stats include 15,182 passing yards, with 75 touchdowns over 83 games, and a 33-32 record as a starter over 11 seasons.
“I’ve known Teddy a long time and the human being is unbelievable,” Campbell remarked. “The type of teammate he is, the way he prepares … always played the game up here and had a huge heart. He’s going to be missed.”