Teddy Bridgewater Retires From NFL

Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater has officially retired from the NFL after 11 seasons. Lions HC Dan Campbell announced Sunday that Bridgewater had informed Detroit he was stepping away from football.

The Lions later made the move official by placing the 33-year-old on the reserve/retired list.

Bridgewater had missed Detroit’s previous two practices before making his decision. Campbell praised his former QB for the impact he made both on and off the field.

“His biggest worry was letting us down,” Campbell said. “That’s the type of guy he is. And he’s not.”

Bridgewater had returned to Detroit in March on a 1-year, $1.8M deal and was expected to enter the season as Jared Goff’s backup.

His retirement now leaves undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer as the only other QB currently on the Lions’ roster. Campbell confirmed Detroit plans to add another quarterback and would prefer to bring in a veteran.

Bridgewater entered the NFL when the Vikings selected him with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisville.

He quickly emerged as Minnesota’s starting QB, earning Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 2014 before making his first Pro Bowl the following season.

Following his time in Minnesota, Bridgewater played for the Saints, Panthers, Broncos, Dolphins, Lions and Buccaneers.

Bridgewater finishes his NFL career with:

• 83 games played
• 65 starts
• 33-32 record as a starter
• 15,182 passing yards
• 75 passing TDs
• 47 INTs
• 66.3% completion percentage
• 848 rushing yards
• 11 rushing TDs
• 2014 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year
• 2015 Pro Bowl