ALLEN PARK, Mich. — In a surprising turn of events, veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has announced his retirement from the Detroit Lions, leading to his placement on the reserve/retired list just before Sunday’s practice. This decision comes during the team’s training camp, where Bridgewater had been expected to serve as a backup to Jared Goff.
Head coach Dan Campbell expressed his belief that this retirement may be permanent for the 33-year-old quarterback, who had previously retired after the 2023 season only to return the following year. “I think he can only truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it’s at for sure right now,” Campbell stated. He emphasized Bridgewater’s concern about letting the team down, highlighting the quarterback’s character and commitment. “He meant a lot,” Campbell added, reflecting on Bridgewater’s impact on the team.
Bridgewater's Journey with the Lions
Bridgewater joined the Lions as an unrestricted free agent in March, marking his third stint with the organization. Known for his leadership qualities, he had previously backed up Goff during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. However, he missed the last two practices for reasons that remain undisclosed. Before returning to Detroit, Bridgewater played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025, where he participated in four games, completing 8 of 15 passes for 62 yards.
Throughout his career, Bridgewater has played for several teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Minnesota Vikings, where he was drafted in the first round in 2014. Over 83 career games, he has completed 1,380 of 2,082 passes, achieving a completion rate of 66.3%, with 15,182 yards and 75 touchdowns, earning a passer rating of 90.3.
Looking Ahead for the Lions
With Bridgewater’s departure, undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer is set to step into the backup quarterback role behind Goff. Campbell noted that Altmyer has shown improvement and will receive significant playing time in the upcoming preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. “We like Luke. Luke is growing. He just needs reps,” Campbell remarked, indicating confidence in the rookie’s potential.
In light of Bridgewater’s retirement, the Lions are also planning to sign another quarterback to bolster their depth. “We are gonna add somebody and we’d like to add a veteran QB,” Campbell said, hinting at potential developments in the coming days.
