Teddy Bridgewater, veteran quarterback, stepping away from Lions

Richard Silva, The Detroit News on Aug 9, 2026

Published in Football

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ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is stepping away from the Detroit Lions, coach Dan Campbell said Sunday.

The Lions placed Bridgewater on the reserve/retired list shortly after Campbell's announcement.

Asked whether this was it for Bridgewater's playing career, Campbell said, "I think only he can truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it's at, for sure, right now. This is where it needs to be, where he felt (it needs to be).

"His biggest worry was letting us down — that's the type of guy he is — and he's not."

Campbell and Bridgewater have a long history together, dating back to their overlapping tenures with the New Orleans Saints from 2018-19. The Lions signed Bridgewater to play behind starter Jared Goff in 2023 and brought him back in the same role toward the end of 2024.

Bridgewater, who briefly left the NFL to coach high school football after the 2023 season, spent 2025 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He came back to the Lions in March on a one-year deal at the league's minimum salary.

"I've known Teddy a long time," Campbell said. "Man, the human being is unbelievable. Certainly, the player, everything that he's about, the type of teammate he is and the way he prepares. (He's) always played the game up here (with his head) and had a huge heart. He's going to be missed."

Campbell, clearly emotional, recalled back to 2019, when Bridgewater stepped in at quarterback following an injury to Drew Brees and led the Saints on a 5-0 stretch, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

"We had just gone out to the Rams, got beat out there and Drew got his thumb (hurt), and we lost him for five weeks," Campbell said. "Teddy stepped in (and) we won five in a row.

"That was Teddy."

The Lions will open their preseason slate at the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.

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