Quarterback stuns the Lions by telling them he wants to step away from the NFL just weeks before the new season
Veteran NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater shocked the Detroit Lions by telling them he is stepping away from football.
It comes just 35 days before Dan Campbell’s team is due to play its season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Bridgewater, who has been placed on the reserve/retired list, was in line to serve as the backup to starting Lions quarterback Jared Goff this season.
But now the Lions will have to assess their options and even consider signing a replacement to add to the depth chart.
Addressing the situation on Sunday, Campbell hinted that Bridgewater, 33, could be heading for retirement.
He said: ‘I think he can only truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it’s at for sure right now. This is where it needs to be and where he felt. And his biggest worry was letting us down. That’s the type of guy he is and he’s not. That’s as far as it can get. He meant a lot.’
Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater has told the Detroit Lions he is stepping away from football
Bridgewater was in line to serve as the back up to starting Lions quarterback Jared Goff
Bridgewater had previously called time on his NFL career back in 2023 only to return for the Lions the season after.
The Lions picked him up as an unrestricted free agent in March after he appeared four times for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year.
Bridgewater has also played for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings.
He was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Vikings out of Louisville.
A one-time Pro Bowler selection, he has completed 1,380 of 2,082 passes for 15,182 yards and 75 touchdowns in 83 career games.
‘I’ve known Teddy a long time and the human being is unbelievable,’ Campbell continued.
‘Certainly, the player, everything that he’s about. The type of teammate he is, the way he prepares … always played the game up here and had a huge heart. He’s gonna be missed.’
