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 was the lone quarterback on the Lions’ roster outside of Goff after Bridgewater’s retirement. Hours after Detroit made Bridgewater’s reserve/retired list transaction official, the team signed veteran Joshua Dobbs to a one-year deal.

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.

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

Teddy Bridgewater contract

Bridgewater signed a deal to return to the Lions in free agency earlier in the offseason. Here are the details:

• Term: One year
• Total value: $1.8 million
• Average annual value (AAV): $1.8 million
• Guaranteed money: $1.59 million

The Lions will still have Bridgewater’s rights for the remainder of the 2026 season if he were to decide to return from retirement again before 2027.

Teddy Bridgewater career earnings

Bridgewater has made over $66 million during his 11 years in the NFL, according to Spotrac. Here’s a full breakdown of the money he made from NFL contracts with the Vikings, Jets, Saints, Panthers, Broncos, Dolphins, Lions and Buccaneers:

• Minnesota Vikings: $6.85 million
• New York Jets: $1 million
• New Orleans Saints: $12.3 million
• Carolina Panthers: $31 million
• Denver Broncos: $4.42 million
• Miami Dolphins: $6.5 million
• Detroit Lions: $2.89 million
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $1.26 million

In total, Bridgewater’s career earnings are more than $66.2 million per Spotrac.

Lions QB depth chart

After Bridgewater’s retirement, the Lions signed veteran Joshua Dobbs to a one-year deal, per reports.

Here’s how their quarterback depth chart looks as the NFL preseason rolls on:

• Jared Goff
• Joshua Dobbs
• Luke Altmyer

Goff is the unquestioned starter for Detroit as he enters his sixth season with the Lions. Dobbs, who backed up Patriots quarterback Drake Maye last year, is the presumed backup after Detroit signed him to a one-year, $1.43 million deal on Aug. 9.

Altmyer signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft. In his final season at Illinois, he set collegiate career highs in completion rate (67.4%), passing yards (3,007) and passing touchdowns (22).

This story has been updated.