Teddy Bridgewater is returning to the NFL by signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team’s general manager Jason Licht has confirmed.
Bridgewater, who retired in early 2024 to coach at Miami Northwestern High School. Now, he is making a dramatic return to the big show.
It is the second return from retirement for the 32-year-old quarterback whose career was derailed by a significant knee injury in 2016.
Licht confirmed the team’s “intent” to sign Bridgewater, making him a key addition to their locker room heading into the new season.
“We had some discussions about it, that it’d be a nice addition to the room, good for Baker (Mayfield). Experienced guy, obviously a smart, hell of a high school coach – hell of a coach in general,” he told reporters, according to Fox News. “But just a good addition, just to have that wealth of experience there.”
The #Bucs are now signing QB Teddy Bridgewater to his 1-year deal after he passed his physical, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2025
Kyle Trask will backup Baker Mayfield, but with Michael Pratt still not practicing, Bridgewater gives depth and a veteran presence in the QB room. pic.twitter.com/dX4QhYNgSH
Teddy Bridgewater Fresh Off a Coaching Suspension
Bridgewater has been in the news recently, precisely due to his coaching experience at Miami Northwestern, but not necessarily for good reasons. He was suspended from his coaching role for violating district policies.
Bridgewater got himself into some controversy for violating district policies by personally funding Uber rides, meals, and recovery services for his players.
While a nice gesture, it is also a violation, and something another Florida high school team was punished for back in November. Officials had no choice but to suspend him.
Former Washington Commanders quarterback Robert Griffin III vehemently defended Teddy Bridgewater over the suspension. Griffin criticized it as “punishing love, leadership, and sacrifice.”
“He got suspended for taking care of his players when they were in need, teaching them how to take care of their bodies and giving them the necessities to help them chase their dreams for a brighter future,” Griffin said.
“Not cheating. Not stealing. Just caring.”
True on all fronts, but still a violation of rules, and Bridgewater rightly paid the price. With gobs of money amassed over his NFL career, Bridgewater had opportunities to help out players that other coaches did not have.
@rgiii Teddy Bridgewater just got suspended as the Head Coach of Miami Northwestern High School because he covered Uber rides, meals and recovery services for his players out of his own pockets last season. He got suspended for taking care of his players when they were in need, teaching them how to take care of their bodies and giving them the necessities to help them chase their dreams for a brighter future. Not cheating. Not stealing. Just caring. He gave them the tools to chase a better future and is getting punished for it. Suspending Teddy Bridgewater isn’t justice. It’s punishing love, leadership, and sacrifice. #fyp #NFL #Football #Rg3 #Sports #TeddyBridgewater #griffinfamily #OuttaPocket #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Robert Griffin III
RELATED: Teddy Bridgewater Suspended From HS Coaching Gig
What Can We Expect to See in His Return?
Teddy Bridgewater was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and played four seasons with the team, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 before a severe knee injury sidelined him the following season.
He then became a journeyman quarterback, playing for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and briefly with the New York Jets.
And now the Buccaneers.
He amassed a 33-32 record as a starter across his career, while throwing for 15,120 yards, 75 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions while completing 66.0% of his passes over 79 total games.
It’s tough to know what to expect from Teddy at this stage of the game. He last played in just one game for the Lions in 2023, essentially closing out the contest with a pair of kneeldowns.
