Theodore Edmond Bridgewater Jr. is a former American football quarterback who played in the NFL for 10 seasons. He played college football at the University of Louisville, leading the Cardinals to a Sugar Bowl victory in 2013. Bridgewater was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. In his second season with the Vikings, he led the team to a division title and was selected for the Pro Bowl. A serious leg injury sustained during the subsequent offseason sidelined Bridgewater for most of the next two years, significantly impacting his career trajectory. Despite the injury setback, he resumed his NFL career, playing for several different teams before retiring.
2007: High School Football Success
In 2007, Bridgewater became the starting quarterback for Miami Northwestern Senior High School and led the team to a 13-3 season.
2009: Early Life
Information about Teddy Bridgewater's life before his NFL career is limited in the provided text. More details about his early years, such as birth and education, would be needed for a comprehensive account.
June 2010: Commitment to Miami
Bridgewater initially committed to the University of Miami in June 2010.
November 2010: Commitment to Louisville
Bridgewater switched his commitment to the University of Louisville in November 2010.
2011: Freshman Season at Louisville
Bridgewater became the starting quarterback at Louisville in his freshman year, 2011, and was named Big East Rookie of the Year.
2011: High School All-American Bowl
Bridgewater played in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
2012: Sophomore Season at Louisville
In 2012, Bridgewater led Louisville to a Big East title and was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
April 2013: Top Draft Prospect
Bridgewater was considered a top prospect for the 2014 NFL draft as early as April 2013.
2013: College Graduation
In 2013, Teddy Bridgewater graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in Sports Administration.
2013: Sugar Bowl MVP
Bridgewater was named the MVP of the 2013 Sugar Bowl.
2013: Sugar Bowl Victory and College Success
In 2013, Bridgewater led the Louisville Cardinals to victory in the Sugar Bowl and had a successful junior season.
2013: Russell Athletic Bowl MVP
Bridgewater was named the MVP of the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl, his final college game.
January 1, 2014: Declaration for NFL Draft
Bridgewater declared for the 2014 NFL Draft on January 1, 2014.
September 21, 2014: NFL Debut
Bridgewater made his NFL debut on September 21, 2014, against the New Orleans Saints.
2014: NFL Draft Selection
Bridgewater was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
2014: Pepsi Rookie of the Year and Season Stats
Bridgewater won the 2014 Pepsi Rookie of the Year award and finished the season with 2,919 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
2014: NFL Draft and Gift to Mother
In 2014, Teddy Bridgewater was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. Cadillac gifted his mother, Rose, a pink Escalade after learning of Bridgewater's long-held desire to buy her one.
January 13, 2015: NFL All-Rookie Team Selection
Bridgewater was selected to the 2014 NFL All-Rookie team on January 13, 2015.
2015: First Start Since Injury
In the 2015 season, Bridgewater made his first start after his major leg injury. More details on his performance in this particular season, such as his stats and team success, would give a clearer view of his comeback.
2015: Multi-Touchdown Game Milestone
In the 2015 season, Bridgewater achieved a significant milestone by throwing for more than one touchdown in a single game. The specific game and the details surrounding it are missing to show the impact of this event.
January 25, 2016: First Pro Bowl Selection
On January 25, 2016, Teddy Bridgewater was selected to his first Pro Bowl, marking a significant achievement in his NFL career.
August 30, 2016: Season-Ending Injury
On August 30, 2016, during a team practice, Bridgewater suffered a severe non-contact injury to his left leg, tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee joint. This injury sidelined him for the entire 2016 season and required a lengthy recovery period.
January 2017: Confirmed Recovery Timeline
In January 2017, doctors confirmed that Bridgewater's recovery from his leg injury would take 19 months, effectively ruling him out for the entire 2017 NFL season.
May 1, 2017: Vikings Decline Contract Option
On May 1, 2017, the Minnesota Vikings declined the fifth-year option on Bridgewater's contract, making him a free agent after the 2017 season. This decision reflected the uncertainty surrounding his recovery and future performance.
2017: Missed Season and Draft Pick Trade
Following Bridgewater's injury and subsequent confirmation of a 19-month recovery timeline, the Vikings traded for quarterback Sam Bradford in 2017, giving up significant draft capital. This move highlighted the impact of Bridgewater's absence on the team's plans.
March 18, 2018: Signs with the Jets
On March 18, 2018, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets. The contract offered limited guaranteed money but had the potential for significant earnings through incentives.
August 29, 2018: Traded to the Saints
On August 29, 2018, the Jets traded Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for draft picks. This trade marked another turning point in his career as he joined a new team and sought to regain his starting role.
2018: Joining the New Orleans Saints
Bridgewater joined the New Orleans Saints in 2018 as a backup quarterback.
2018: Vikings' Performance Without Bridgewater
In 2018, the Vikings finished with an 8-8 record, missing the playoffs after a strong 5-0 start. This performance underscores the impact of Bridgewater's absence on the team's overall success.
March 15, 2019: Re-signs with Saints
On March 15, 2019, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, solidifying his role with the team.
2019: Trade Involves Draft Picks
The trade between the Jets and the Saints involved the exchange of draft picks, with the Jets receiving a higher pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. This detail highlights the value placed on Bridgewater's potential despite his injury history.
March 26, 2020: Signs with Panthers
On March 26, 2020, Bridgewater signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, marking a new chapter in his NFL career.
April 28, 2021: Traded to Broncos
On April 28, 2021, the Carolina Panthers traded Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos. This trade occurred after the Panthers acquired Sam Darnold, signaling a shift in the team's quarterback plans.
August 25, 2021: Named Broncos Starter
On August 25, 2021, the Denver Broncos announced that Bridgewater had won the starting quarterback job, beating out incumbent Drew Lock. This decision marked a significant achievement for Bridgewater as he aimed to re-establish himself as a leading quarterback in the league.
2021: Season Performance and Statistics
During the 2021 season, Bridgewater threw for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He also contributed two rushing touchdowns. These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of his performance during the season.
January 5, 2022: Placed on Injured Reserve
On January 5, 2022, Bridgewater was placed on injured reserve, ending his 2021 season. He suffered a concussion in Week 15 against the Bengals.
March 17, 2022: Signs with Dolphins
On March 17, 2022, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. This move marked another change of team for Bridgewater as he sought to continue his NFL career.
August 10, 2023: Signs with Lions
On August 10, 2023, Bridgewater signed with the Detroit Lions. This move reunited him with Dan Campbell, who had been an assistant coach during Bridgewater's time with the New Orleans Saints.
December 16, 2023: Announces Retirement Plans
On December 16, 2023, Bridgewater announced his plans to retire from the NFL after the conclusion of the 2023 season, intending to transition into coaching high school football.
2023: Retirement and Coaching Career
After the Lions' 2023 season concluded, Bridgewater formally retired from professional football and became the head coach of Miami Northwestern High School, his alma mater. In his inaugural season as coach, he led the team to a state title victory.
2023: Retirement and Coaching Career
Bridgewater retired from the NFL and became the head football coach at Miami Northwestern High School in 2023.