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 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Louisville, winning the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Bridgewater was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as the last pick of the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. In his second season with the Vikings, he led the team to a division title and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2007: Took over as starting quarterback

In 2007, Teddy Bridgewater took over as starting quarterback as a sophomore. Northwestern finished the season 13-3, falling short to Seminole High School of Sanford 28–21 in the 6A state title game.

2009: Vikings win division title

Teddy Bridgewater helped the Vikings pull off a 20–13 victory and win their first division title since 2009.

2011: U.S. Army All-American Bowl

In 2011, Teddy Bridgewater played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

2011: Louisville Freshman Season

In 2011, Teddy Bridgewater's freshman year at Louisville, he became the starting quarterback and was named Big East Rookie of the Year.

2012: Big East Offensive Player of the Year

In 2012, as a sophomore, Teddy Bridgewater was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

April 2013: Top prospect for 2014 NFL draft

In April 2013, Teddy Bridgewater was considered a top prospect for the 2014 NFL draft.

2013: Russell Athletic Bowl MVP

In 2013, Teddy 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.

2013: Sugar Bowl MVP

In 2013, Teddy Bridgewater was named the MVP of the Sugar Bowl after passing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in a victory against the Florida Gators.

January 1, 2014: Declared for the NFL Draft

On January 1, 2014, Teddy Bridgewater announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility at Louisville and enter the NFL Draft.

September 21, 2014: NFL Debut

On September 21, 2014, Teddy Bridgewater made his NFL debut for the Vikings against the New Orleans Saints, entering in relief of the injured Matt Cassel.

2014: NFL All-Rookie Team

In 2014, Teddy Bridgewater completed his rookie year and was later selected as the quarterback of the NFL All-Rookie team by the Pro Football Writers of America.

2014: NFL Draft

In 2014, Teddy Bridgewater was selected as the final first round pick of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

2015: First game with more than one touchdown since week 15 of 2015 season

Due to Drew Brees's injury, Bridgewater was named the starting quarterback for Week 3. In that game, Bridgewater completed 19 of 27 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns as the Saints defeated the Seahawks on the road by a score of 33–27. This was the first game where Bridgewater threw for more than one touchdown in a game since Week 15 of the 2015 season.

2015: First start since 2015

On December 28, Teddy Bridgewater made his first start since 2015, finishing the game completing 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while also rushing for 12 yards as the Saints lost 33–14.

January 25, 2016: Named to Pro Bowl

On January 25, 2016, Teddy Bridgewater was named to his first Pro Bowl.

May 1, 2017: Vikings Declined Contract Option

On May 1, 2017, the Vikings declined the fifth-year option on Teddy Bridgewater's contract, making him a free agent after the 2017 season.

2017: Vikings trade for Sam Bradford

In 2017, after the loss of Bridgewater, the Vikings traded for quarterback Sam Bradford.

March 18, 2018: Signed with the New York Jets

On March 18, 2018, Teddy Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.

August 29, 2018: Traded to the Saints

On August 29, 2018, Teddy Bridgewater was traded from the New York Jets to the New Orleans Saints.

2018: Joined the New Orleans Saints

In 2018, Teddy Bridgewater joined the New Orleans Saints as a backup quarterback.

2018: Vikings finished third in NFC North

In 2018, the Vikings went 8-8, finishing third in the NFC North and missing the playoffs, despite starting the season with a 5-0 record.

March 15, 2019: Signed Contract with the Saints

On March 15, 2019, Teddy Bridgewater signed a one-year, $7.25 million fully guaranteed contract with the Saints.

2019: Draft pick trade

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: Signed with the Panthers

On March 26, 2020, Teddy Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.

2020: Career-High Statistics

In 2020, Teddy Bridgewater finished the season with career-high totals in several statistics, including completions (340), passing yards (3,733), touchdowns (15) and rushing yards (279).

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.

2021: Broncos season

In 2021, Teddy Bridgewater had 3,052 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to go along with 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

March 17, 2022: Signed with the Dolphins

On March 17, 2022, Teddy Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

August 10, 2023: Signed with the Lions

On August 10, 2023, Teddy Bridgewater signed with the Lions, reuniting with Dan Campbell, who was the assistant head coach during Bridgewater's time with the Saints.

December 16, 2023: Announced Retirement Plans

On December 16, 2023, Teddy Bridgewater announced his plans to retire from the NFL following the season's conclusion, with intentions to become a high school football coach.

2023: Retirement and High School Coaching

In 2023, Teddy Bridgewater initially retired from the NFL and became the head football coach at Miami Northwestern, his former high school.

2023: Named Head Coach of Miami Northwestern High School

In 2023, after the Lions' season ended, Teddy Bridgewater formally confirmed his retirement from playing and was named the head coach for Miami Northwestern High School. In his first season, Bridgewater and Miami Northwestern won the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title.

February 2, 2024: Officially Announced Retirement

On February 2, 2024, Teddy Bridgewater officially announced his retirement for the first time.

December 26, 2024: Re-signed by the Lions

On December 26, 2024, after announcing his intention to continue playing in the NFL, Teddy Bridgewater was re-signed by the Lions to back up Jared Goff.