In 2016, Teddy Bridgewater practically misplaced as a lot another NFL quarterback ever has. A catastrophic knee damage suffered in apply was so ugly, his surgeon compared it to a war wound. His profession wasn’t simply in query — his complete high quality of life was.
Bridgewater’s tireless work introduced him again to the soccer subject after lacking a whole season. Whereas he by no means reached the heights of his Professional Bowl 2015 — he performed solely 9 extra snaps for the Minnesota Vikings earlier than shifting from “potential franchise quarterback” to “dependable veteran” — he spent the next six years as a high-value fill-in able to profitable video games wherever he went.
This repute chased him into retirement. Bridgewater stepped away from the sport at age 31 to steer his alma mater, Miami Northwestern, to a Florida state high school championship this fall. He’s not glad with only one title in 2024, nonetheless.
Comeback: Highschool state championship-winning coach and NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater is popping out of retirement and is anticipated to signal with the Lions, sources inform The Insiders.
Bridgewater appeared on @nflnetwork.bsky.social and revealed his plans to play once more. Again to Detroit.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet1.bsky.social) December 26, 2024 at 11:40 AM
Bridgewater will reportedly return to the sideline the place he spent 2023 by unretiring and becoming a member of the Detroit Lions. He’ll give the Lions a confirmed veteran behind MVP candidate Jared Goff, bolstering a depth chart during which Hendon Hooker served because the group’s high backup.
This received’t simply be a substantial elevate from his highschool teaching paycheck. He’s additionally becoming a member of the NFC’s high group and has a outstanding likelihood of being a member of the primary Detroit group to make it to the Tremendous Bowl. Ought to he be pressured into motion, he’ll be taking part in underneath a training workers that’s labored wonders restoring Goff’s worth after he was solid away from a Los Angeles Rams group satisfied he couldn’t be a excessive influence quarterback.
Bridgewater is simply 32 years outdated, however he could possibly be coming into a low-stakes Roger Clemens section. He can coach highschool soccer into the vacation season, then signal with a needy group every December to supply a reliable insurance coverage coverage behind a high-performing quarterback. Or he could make 2024 his final hurrah with a Lions group that presently has the second-best odds to win Tremendous Bowl 59.
Both approach, Teddy Bridgewater retains profitable.
