The Detroit Lions played their Teddy Bridgewater card late last season with the team looking for a more reliable backup quarterback behind Jared Goff.
But it appears that won't be an option in 2025.
According to CBS Sports analyst Bryant McFadden, Bridgewater is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov notes that Bridgewater is visiting the Bucs and will sign if all goes well with a physical.
A former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, Bridgewater has played in games with the Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Lions during his career.
The 2015 Pro Bowler spent the last two seasons with the Lions, appearing in just one game. He was signed by Detroit last December and immediately became the team's backup behind Goff, which showed a lack of faith in Hendon Hooker.
As for the Lions, they're currently navigating a competition between Hooker and Kyle Allen, both of whom struggled mightily in the Hall of Fame Game loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
While it's too early to panic, those that did felt safe knowing Bridgewater could be another option if the Lions didn't feel comfortable with Allen and Hooker. Clearly that's no longer the case.
Bridgewater didn't sign until late in 2024 because he was serving as the head coach at his old high school, Miami Northwestern, where he won a state title in his first year at the helm.
Bridgewater became available earlier this year after being suspended due to providing impermissible benefits to his players that included paying for Uber rides, meals and recovery services for his players.
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