There is one Detroit Lions upcoming free agent that we can be certain the team will not be re-signing in March. That is the incomparable Teddy Bridgewater.
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Now that the veteran quarterback is nearing the end of his playing days, Bridgewater is chasing his passion of community building and youth mentorship through a career in high school football coaching. After winning a state championship last year, he’s expected to run it back at Miami Northwestern, the veteran quarterback’s alma mater.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean his time with the Detroit Lions is done. Let’s examine what’s next for Bridgewater and the Lions.
Here’s a look at our previously written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, WR Allen Robinson, G Kevin Zeitler, OT Dan Skipper, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Carlton Davis, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Kindle Vildor, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, and K Michael Badgley.
Expectations heading into 2024
In short, expectations were for Bridgewater to retire. He made his intentions of wanting to coach for his former high school very clear by the end of Detroit’s 2023 playoff run. So this seemed like the emotional end to Bridgewater’s NFL career.
Dan Campbell and Teddy Bridgewater leaving Levi’s pic.twitter.com/BIynJytt3e
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) January 29, 2024
Actual role in 2024
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position
1 game played: 1-of-1 for 3 yards
After winning the state title as head coach, Bridgewater surprisingly returned to the Lions in late December to help in Detroit’s playoff run. He was a gameday inactive for the final two games of the regular season, but when the playoffs came, Detroit promoted him to Jared Goff’s veteran backup.
Lions coach Dan Campbell insisted his promotion had nothing to do with any sort of disappointment in 2023 draft pick Hendon Hooker. Instead, they simply wanted an experienced player to back up Goff for the high-stakes playoff run.
“I understand what it looks like, but it’s just a different world that we’re getting ready to walk into,” Campbell said. “And I just—we felt like this was the right thing to do, especially with somebody that I have a tremendous amount of trust with and for. He understands our offense well, the guys know him well, the coaches know him well, and he brings a certain level of comfort to us.”
Bridgewater would eventually get a short opportunity in Detroit’s lone playoff game. While Goff was getting evaluated for a concussion, Bridgewater led one Lions offensive series. Though he only threw a single pass, he helped orchestrate a Jameson William reverse carry that went for a touchdown.
Outlook for 2025
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
What’s next for Bridgewater?
Bridgewater has said he plans to return for a second year to coach Miami Northwestern. Given that the high school football season runs from August to (potentially) December, that means you should not expect him to sign with any NFL team during free agency, unless he has a change of heart. Given his love for his hometown and youth mentorship, I would not expect him to go back on his word.
“I was placed here to serve,” Bridgewater said this excellent story from The Athletic. “Serve God, but also be a humble servant to others. I have a giving spirit and always want to pour into people.”
Is Bridgewater going to retire?
In the story linked above, Bridgewater said he is going to keep his NFL options open and does not plan to file retirement papers.
Will Bridgewater make another late-season cameo with the Lions?
It certainly seems possible. Bridgewater indicated he had several teams reach out to him last year, but Detroit was the only place he really wanted to come back to because of his relationship with Dan Campbell.
“It was Lions or bust,” Bridgewater told Lions media. “There’s always opportunities in the NFL, especially when you’re a quarterback, but Dan and I, we kept in touch outside of football. Our relationship goes beyond the gridiron. He’s a great man who—he checks on me, he checks on my family, my well-being. So who wouldn’t want to come back and work for a guy like that.”
As for the Lions side of things, 2025 is likely the year that Hooker becomes the trusted backup, so bringing Bridgewater back may not be as needed for insurance purposes. However, Bridgewater has been a mentor to many players on the team (including Hooker), so his presence for a late-season push may be of value beyond being a third-string quarterback.
Could Bridgewater ever join the Lions’ coaching staff?
As of right now, the answer is a very strong no. Bridgewater has made his thoughts very clear about why the late nights and early mornings of an NFL coach are not for him. When asked if his high school coaching success has led to interest in coaching at another level, here was his response:
“No. None. College, you’ve gotta have deep pockets. NFL, you can’t love sleep. So I’d rather stick with the high school level.”
It’s always possible his priorities change, but given the love for his hometown, I would not expect Bridgewater to become an NFL coach anytime soon.
