Lions confirm Bridgewater’s expected retirement after second career hiatus
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell announces the 33-year-old is leaving the team, prompting roster adjustments including the addition of Josh Dobbs.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Sunday that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is leaving the team and is expected to retire from professional football. The announcement marks the second time in three years that the 33-year-old has stepped away from the National Football League, bringing another chapter of a career defined by resilience to a close.
Bridgewater spent the 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before returning to Detroit. His departure follows a period of significant transition, including a previous retirement after the 2023 season. During that hiatus, Bridgewater returned to his hometown to serve as head coach at his former high school, Miami Northwestern. He led the program to a state championship before eventually returning to the NFL to serve as a veteran backup and mentor behind starting quarterback Jared Goff.
Over an 11-season career, Bridgewater appeared in 83 games with 65 starts across six teams. His statistical record includes 15,182 passing yards, 75 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions, alongside a completion rate of 66.3 per cent. He was originally selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, though his early promise was interrupted by a severe knee injury in 2016 that many believed would end his career prematurely.
Despite never permanently regaining a starting role following his injury, Bridgewater remained a respected presence in the league for his leadership, preparation, and professionalism. His tenure included stints with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and the Lions, where he provided stability in the quarterback room.
The Lions have begun adjusting their roster following the announcement, adding veteran Josh Dobbs to fill the void in the quarterback depth chart. While Bridgewater’s latest retirement appears final for now, his history of returning to the sport after stepping away leaves open the question of whether this marks the absolute end of his involvement in professional football.
