DETROIT, Mich**.** — The Detroit Lions are in the market for a new veteran backup quarterback after placing Teddy Bridgewater on the Reserve/Retired list.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced the news Sunday, Aug. 9, before the team’s training camp practice at the Meijer Performance Center.
“Bridgewater is going to step away,” Campbell said. “I’ve known him a long time, and man, the human being is unbelievable. Certainly, the player, everything he’s about, the kind of teammate he is and the way he prepares... He’s going to be missed.”
Bridgewater, 33, served as Jared Goff’s primary backup during three different stints in Detroit starting in 2023.
Over his productive 11-year NFL career, which included a successful comeback from a serious knee injury early on with the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater played in 83 games, starting 65.
He leaves the game with a 33-32 starting record, a 66.3% completion rate, 75 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions.
With Bridgewater retiring, Campbell confirmed the Lions plan to sign a veteran quarterback as early as Monday to compete with undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer out of Illinois. Altmyer has been taking second-team reps and is expected to see significant action in Detroit’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals this Thursday.
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