NFL veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater signed a new contract with the Detroit Lions. Bridgewater, a former first-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the Miami Dolphins but has also played for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos.
Teddy Bridgewater, Detroit Lions, Agree to Contract
Bridgewater spent the 2022 season as the primary backup to Tua Tagovailoa. However, due to a series of injuries, Bridgewater made his way into five games while making two starts. During his time on the field, the quarterback completed 62.0% of his passes for 683 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Dolphins made the playoffs, but Bridgewater didn’t play a snap as both he and Tagovailoa were battling various ailments. In their place, rookie seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson led the Dolphins to a thrilling 34-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Teddy Bridgewater initially entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Selected by the Minnesota Vikings, the Louisville product began the season as the primary backup to journeyman Matt Cassel. However, Bridgewater overtook Cassel after three games are started the remaining 13. During his time on the field, Bridgewater completed 64.4% of his passes for 2,919 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Bridgewater built on that promising rookie season by earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2015. Starting and appearing in all 16 games, the quarterback led his team to an 11-5 record while completing 65.3% of his passes for 3,231 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Unfortunately, Bridgewater missed the entirety of the 2016 season and the vast majority of the 2017 season after suffering a gruesome knee injury in practice.
While the quarterback returned to the field in 2018, he did it with a different team. Signing a contract with the Jets, New York traded Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints after a strong preseason. Bridgewater spent most of the next two years backing up Drew Brees, although he did go 5-1 when filling in under center.
After his stint in New Orleans, Bridgewater spent 2020 and 2021 as the primary starter for the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, respectively. While he put up adequate numbers, he was unable to guide either team to a winning record.
Main Photo: Brian Fluharty – USA Today Sports
