Teddy Bridgewater is setting the stage for a remarkable comeback to the NFL, signaling his intention to return to professional football in 2025 after a year-long retirement sabbatical.
At 32, Bridgewater hung up his cleats following the 2023 season, where he served as a reliable backup quarterback under Jared Goff with the Detroit Lions. Stepping away from the NFL, Bridgewater opted for a different kind of leadership role in 2024, taking the helm as head coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his cherished alma mater. Under his guidance, the team clinched a state championship, a testament to his enduring influence on and off the field.
In a candid conversation on NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” Bridgewater confirmed his plans to return to the professional gridiron. “That’s the plan,” he shared with viewers.
“My team knows that’s the plan. We wanted to win a state championship and then coach goes back to the league, see what happens, and then come back February in the offseason, continue coaching high school football.
We’ll see how it plays out.”
Bridgewater’s journey in the NFL began when he was drafted as the 32nd overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. His sophomore season was particularly noteworthy as he secured his sole Pro Bowl appearance in 2015, leading the Vikings to an unexpected NFC North division title.
Throughout his career, Teddy Bridgewater has become something of a journeyman, donning the jerseys of six NFL teams. Following his initial success with the Vikings, Bridgewater spent two years backing up the legendary Drew Brees with the New Orleans Saints between 2018 and 2019.
His talents were then sought by the Carolina Panthers, who signed him in the 2020 free agency. However, his stint in Carolina lasted only a year before he found himself traded to the Denver Broncos.
That year, he achieved a personal milestone, throwing a career-high 18 touchdowns.
Bridgewater’s versatility was highlighted once again in 2022 when he temporarily stepped in as the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback, filling the shoes of an injured Tua Tagovailoa for two starts. This ability to adapt and perform under different circumstances is perhaps what led the Detroit Lions to sign him in 2023. Over the years, Bridgewater has amassed a career record of 33-32-0, racking up 15,120 passing yards, 75 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions.
With his sights set on a 2025 return to the NFL, Bridgewater’s next chapter may be one that adds both depth and experience to any team willing to embrace his journey. Whether he’ll return to the role of a starter or continue bringing his steady hand as a backup remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Teddy Bridgewater is a name the league will be hearing again soon.