Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Teddy Bridgewater
Discover the career path of Teddy Bridgewater, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Teddy Bridgewater is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Detroit Lions. He played college football at Louisville, leading the Cardinals to a Sugar Bowl victory. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Bridgewater led the Vikings to a division title in his second season, earning a Pro Bowl selection. A severe leg injury significantly impacted his career, limiting his playing time in subsequent seasons. He has since played for several teams in the NFL.
2007: Became starting quarterback at Miami Northwestern
In 2007, during his sophomore year, Bridgewater replaced Jacory Harris as the starting quarterback for Miami Northwestern, taking over a team that had been named the 2007 national champions by USA Today.
2009: Vikings won their first division title since 2009
The Vikings won their first division title since 2009 in a fight for the NFC North Division Title in week 17 against the Packers
June 2010: Committed to the University of Miami
In June 2010, Bridgewater originally committed to the University of Miami.
November 2010: Switched commitment to the University of Louisville
In November 2010, after the firing of Miami head coach Randy Shannon, Bridgewater switched his commitment to the University of Louisville.
2011: Became starting quarterback at Louisville
In 2011, Bridgewater became the starting quarterback for Louisville by the fourth game of the season and remained the starter for the rest of the year.
2011: Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
In 2011, Bridgewater played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
2012: Named Big East Offensive Player of the Year
In 2012, Bridgewater was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
April 2013: Seen as a top prospect for the 2014 NFL draft
As early as April 2013, Bridgewater was seen as one of the top prospects for the 2014 NFL draft.
2013: Named MVP of the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl
In 2013, Bridgewater was named the MVP of the Russell Athletic Bowl after completing 35 of 42 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns against the Miami Hurricanes in his final college game.
2013: Named MVP of the 2013 Sugar Bowl
In 2013, Bridgewater was named the MVP of the Sugar Bowl after passing for 266 yards and two touchdowns against the Florida Gators, leading the Louisville Cardinals to a 33-23 victory.
January 1, 2014: Announced decision to forgo final year of college eligibility
On January 1, 2014, Bridgewater announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility at Louisville and enter the NFL draft.
September 21, 2014: Made NFL debut
On September 21, 2014, Bridgewater made his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints, entering in relief of the injured Matt Cassel and finishing the game with 150 passing yards.
September 28, 2014: Made first NFL start and scored first touchdown
On September 28, 2014, Bridgewater made his first NFL start against the Atlanta Falcons and won the game, in large part due to his 317 passing yards, and scored his first NFL touchdown on a 13-yard rush.
2014: Selected to the 2014 NFL All-Rookie Team
In 2014, Bridgewater was selected as the quarterback of the 2014 NFL All-Rookie team by the Pro Football Writers of America.
2014: Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings
In 2014, Teddy Bridgewater was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as the final first-round pick in the NFL draft.
January 13, 2015: Won the 2014 Pepsi Rookie of the Year award
On January 13, 2015, Bridgewater won the 2014 Pepsi Rookie of the Year award, as voted by fans.
2015: Made first start since 2015
On December 28, Bridgewater made his first start since 2015 in the season finale against the Panthers.
2015: Game where Bridgewater threw for more than one touchdown
This was the first game where Bridgewater threw for more than one touchdown in a game since week 15 of the 2015 season.
January 25, 2016: Named to first Pro Bowl
On January 25, 2016, Bridgewater was named to his first Pro Bowl.
August 30, 2016: Suffered season-ending leg injury
On August 30, 2016, Bridgewater suffered a severe non-contact leg injury during practice, including a torn ACL and knee dislocation, which caused him to miss the rest of the 2016 season.
January 2017: Doctors confirmed Bridgewater would be out for 19 months
In January 2017, doctors confirmed that Bridgewater's recovery from his injury would take 19 months.
May 1, 2017: Vikings declined fifth-year option on Bridgewater's contract
On May 1, 2017, the Vikings declined the fifth-year option on Bridgewater's contract, making him a free agent after the 2017 season.
2017: Vikings traded for Sam Bradford due to Bridgewater's injury
After the loss of Bridgewater for at least the 2016 season, the Vikings traded a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Sam Bradford.
March 18, 2018: Signed with the New York Jets
On March 18, 2018, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.
August 29, 2018: Traded to the New Orleans Saints
On August 29, 2018, the Jets traded Bridgewater and a 2019 sixth-round draft pick to the Saints for a 2019 third-round draft pick.
2018: Vikings traded for Sam Bradford due to Bridgewater's injury
After the loss of Bridgewater for at least the 2016 season, the Vikings traded a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Sam Bradford.
2018: Joined the New Orleans Saints
In 2018, Bridgewater joined the New Orleans Saints as a backup quarterback, and served as the team's starter in relief of Drew Brees, contributing to the team winning their conference's top seed.
March 15, 2019: Signed contract with the Saints
On March 15, 2019, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the Saints.
2019: Jets traded to the New Orleans Saints
On August 29, 2018, the Jets traded Bridgewater and a 2019 sixth-round draft pick to the Saints for a 2019 third-round draft pick.
March 26, 2020: Signs with Panthers
On March 26, 2020, Teddy Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.
April 28, 2021: Traded to the Broncos
On April 28, 2021, Teddy Bridgewater was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick, after the Panthers acquired Sam Darnold.
August 25, 2021: Named Broncos Starting Quarterback
On August 25, 2021, the Denver Broncos announced that Teddy Bridgewater had won the starting quarterback job, after competing with Drew Lock during the preseason.
March 17, 2022: Signs with Dolphins
On March 17, 2022, Teddy Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins worth up to $10 million.
August 10, 2023: Signs with the Lions
On August 10, 2023, Teddy Bridgewater signed with the Detroit Lions, reuniting with Dan Campbell.
2023: Retired from the NFL and became a high school coach
In 2023, Bridgewater initially retired from the NFL and became the head football coach at Miami Northwestern, his former high school.
December 26, 2024: Re-signs with the Lions
On December 26, 2024, after announcing his intention to continue his career, Teddy Bridgewater re-signed with the Detroit Lions.
2024: Returned to the Detroit Lions
In 2024, after leading Miami Northwestern to a state championship, Bridgewater returned to the Detroit Lions.
