The Detroit Lions and Teddy Bridgewater are reportedly set for a reunion.
Bridgewater and the team have agreed to terms on a contract to bring him back to Detroit, according to multiple reports Tuesday, including one from NFL Network. Bridgewater, a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, first signed with the Lions in August 2023. He backed up starter Jared Goff before retiring and becoming the head coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School. He helped lead the program to a Class 3A Florida state championship, beating opponents by a combined 250 points over five postseason contests.
Less than a year later, Bridgewater was back with the Lions, signed by the team in December 2024. He saw brief action in the playoffs that season, coming in for two play after Goff was smoked by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu and subsequently checked for a concussion. The Lions scored on the series with Bridgewater at QB, as wide receiver Jameson Williams took a sweep to the house.
Bridgewater returned to Miami Northwestern, but resigned after being suspended for handing out impermissible benefits. Bridgewater self-reported the payments, which included food and rides home from practice for his players. He went on to spend the 2025 season at Baker Mayfield’s backup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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A three-year starter at Louisville, Bridgewater spent his first four NFL seasons in Minnesota, where he completed 64.7% of his passes for 6,150 yards and 28 touchdowns while going 17-11 as a starter. He went on to sign with the New Orleans. That’s where he met Lions coach Dan Campbell, who at the time the assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the Saints.
Bridgewater has also spent time with the New York Jets (2018), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021) and Miami Dolphins (2022). He’s 33-32 in 65 career starts. Bridgewater is replacing Kyle Allen, who has agreed to leave the Lions in favor of the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
The reported agreement between Bridgewater and the Lions cannot be made official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Teddy Bridgewater returning to Detroit Lions
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