Teddy Bridgewater has experienced a remarkable year as the head coach of a high school football team, leading Miami Northwestern to a state championship. Now, he is shifting his focus back to his playing career. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Bridgewater has decided to come out of retirement and has reached an agreement with the Detroit Lions.
Comeback: High school state championship-winning coach and NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement and is expected to sign with the #Lions, sources tell The Insiders.
Bridgewater appeared on @nflnetwork and revealed his plans to play again. Back to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/McMOR7jELD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2024
Bridgewater served as a backup quarterback for the Lions last season before retiring to take on the head coaching role at Miami Northwestern High School, his former school. He successfully led the team to a state championship earlier this month
On Tuesday, during an appearance on NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” Bridgewater expressed his intention to return to the NFL while also planning to continue coaching high school football next season.
“My team is aware of the plan. We aimed to win a state championship, then I would return to the league, see what unfolds, and come back in February for the offseason to keep coaching high school football,” he stated. “We’ll see how it goes.”
At just 32 years old, Bridgewater has faced more challenges than many players throughout his NFL journey. After being selected in the first round of the 2014 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, he started as a rookie and earned Pro Bowl honors in his second season in 2015. However, a severe knee injury during practice before the 2016 season sidelined him for nearly two years, significantly impacting his career.
Following four seasons with the Vikings, Bridgewater had short tenures with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins. He is now rejoining the 13-2 Detroit Lions as a backup to Jared Goff, giving him an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl title.
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