Is Teddy Bridgewater retiring? Why Lions QB is 'stepping away' from role as Jared Goff's backup

The Lions brought back Teddy Bridgewater to be their backup quarterback this offseason. Nearly a month before the regular season gets underway, they will have to pivot.

Coach Dan Campbell announced Sunday that Bridgewater is stepping away from the team, leaving Detroit with more questions than answers behind Jared Goff.

Lions HC Dan Campbell announced that veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater is stepping away from the team. pic.twitter.com/Uvgf9cLc1D

Bridgewater previously retired after the 2023 season but was signed out of retirement to serve as Goff's backup down the stretch in 2024. The former first-round pick spent 2025 as Baker Mayfield's backup in Tampa Bay.

Here's what you need to know about Bridgewater's future and the Lions' quarterback depth chart.

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Is Teddy Bridgewater retiring?

Bridgewater is "weighing his future and is really considering retirement again," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. The Lions also placed Bridgewater on the reserve/retired list, so he appears to be stepping away from the game completely.

From Inside Training Camp Live: #Lions QB Teddy Bridgewater is retiring once again. pic.twitter.com/w8wKCKnnZL

Bridgewater previously retired after the 2023 season and became the head coach of his former high school. After winning a state championship as a coach, Bridgewater returned to the NFL as Goff's backup in Detroit and stuck around in the NFL by joining the Buccaneers in 2025.

The quarterback, meanwhile, was suspended from his coaching role at Miami Northwestern High School for providing impermissible benefits to players.

Bridgewater's next chapter isn't clear, but he appears to be handing up his cleats for good after 12 seasons in the NFL.

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Lions QB depth chart

After Bridgewater stepped away, the Lions are left with two quarterbacks on their roster:

Goff hasn't missed a game since 2021, so the Lions are hoping his durability comes in handy again this season and doesn't necessitate any starts from any other quarterback. That isn't something a team can just assume, though.

Only undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer, who finished his college career at Illinois, remains on the Lions' roster behind Goff. Detroit will "work out a few QBs," Rapoport reported, so at least one outside addition should be expected in the days ahead.

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Teddy Bridgewater career timeline

Bridgewater spent time with eight teams in his NFL career:

• 2014-17: Minnesota Vikings
• 2018: New York Jets
• 2018-19: New Orleans Saints
• 2020: Carolina Panthers
• 2021: Denver Broncos
• 2022: Miami Dolphins
• 2023-24: Detroit Lions
• 2025: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2026: Detroit Lions

A severe knee injury interrupted and ultimately ended Bridgewater's time as the Vikings' starter after being drafted with the final pick of the first round in 2014, but he landed starting roles with the Panthers and Broncos after a strong stint as Drew Brees' backup in New Orleans.

Bridgewater's last NFL start came with the Dolphins in 2022. He spent 2023 as Goff's backup in Detroit and returned late in the 2024 season before joining the Buccaneers in 2025. Bridgewater never saw a start in any of those three seasons, and he gave up the opportunity to be Goff's backup again in 2026 after Kyle Allen filled that role in 2025.