With last year's backup quarterback Kyle Allen signing with Buffalo in free agency, the Detroit Lions were on the lookout for a veteran signal caller.
The team announced Monday they signed Teddy Bridgewater, which gives them a veteran presence in the QB room behind Jared Goff.
This is Bridgewater's third stint with the Lions as he was Goff's backup for the entirety of the 2023 season when Detroit made a run to the NFC Championship Game and he came out of retirement to be their backup for their playoff run in 2024. He was the backup for the Buccaneers last season.
Bridgewater, 33, said the fire to compete and continue his NFL career was just too great after a brief retirement.
"That fire to just compete and go out there and just excel and help others as well," he said. "I've always been that type of player who just wants to see others have success and I always felt like as a quarterback we play a huge role in others' success.
"If I can just go out there and help a sixth-round wide receiver have a four or five-year career or an undrafted free agent get four or five years out of the league from just competing with him throughout the spring, preseason, training camp, if we get reps in the regular season, that's just something that I look forward to doing."
In his 11-year NFL career, Bridgewater has played in 83 games with 65 starts, throwing for 15,182 yards and 75 touchdowns against 47 interceptions. He has a very strong locker room presence and has been a willing mentor for young players on the roster in his previous stops in Detroit.
He also has a great relationship with Goff and gives him another set of eyes in the quarterback room.
View photos of newly-signed Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) during a NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) before a NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 30, 2023 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) during a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 12, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on November 19, 2023 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) during a NFL preseason football game against Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) during a NFL preseason football game against Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (16) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (16) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (16) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Patriots defeated the Buccaneers 28-23. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) runs against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
"Just having that veteran presence whether it's a starter or backup or third-string guy is so valuable for a team," Bridgewater said.
"Especially when you have guys who have a ton of playing experience. It's an extra coach in the room. An extra pair of eyes for the starter."
