Teddy Bridgewater was a high school star in Florida and eventually became a Heisman Trophy candidate at Louisville. Many NFL analysts considered Bridgewater to be a first-round draft prospect. Few could have imagined the road Bridgewater would take during his NFL career.
Which Teams Has Teddy Bridgewater Played For?
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings selected Bridgewater with the 32nd overall selection in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Vikings saw Bridgewater sliding, so they traded their second and fourth-round picks to move up for the signal-caller.
Bridgewater entered his rookie season as the backup to starting QB Matt Cassel. Cassel broke his foot early in the season, causing a necessary trip to the injured reserve. Bridgewater was named the starting QB.
Bridgewater turned in a remarkable rookie season, being selected as the QB of the All-Rookie Team and winning the 2014 Pepsi Rookie of the Year award.
Bridgewater continued to develop during his second season with the Vikings. Bridgewater led the team to the NFC North title for the first time since 2009. Bridgewater became an NFL Pro Bowler, and the future looked bright for the young signal-caller.
In the summer of 2016, Bridgewater sustained one of the most gruesome injuries in recent memory. The Vikings QB tore his ACL, dislocated his knee joint, and suffered additional structural damage. Many questioned whether this injury would threaten his career.
To this day I still believe Teddy Bridgewater would of led the Vikings to great things if he wouldn’t of had that terrible knee injury. https://t.co/2tJ9WYwTlM pic.twitter.com/bTGtmoz9Ps
— K👁🌲🐺🌲 (@Kgformvp211) August 10, 2023
Due to the injury, the Vikings scrambled for a solution at the QB position, eventually trading a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford.
Doctors advised Bridgewater that the injuries he sustained would require a rehab of 17-19 months.
New York Jets
In the spring of 2018, the New York Jets signed Bridgewater to a one-year contract. Bridgewater never played a regular-season game for the Jets.
New Orleans Saints
In the summer of 2018, the Jets traded Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints.
Bridgewater made the start in the season finale, with the Saints having locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The start was Bridgewaters’ first since 2015.
Bridgewater returned to New Orleans in 2019. Starting QB Drew Brees injured his thumb in Week 2, and Bridgewater replaced him under center. He started until Brees returned in Week 8. In the cameo, Bridgewater showcased his abilities for other NFL teams.
A comparison of Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill & Jameis Winston in their first four starts in the Saints offense… pic.twitter.com/HvxW4L524N
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) October 10, 2021
Carolina Panthers
In the spring of 2020, the Carolina Panthers signed Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million contract. Bridgewater cashed in on his time in New Orleans and the Panthers’ desperation to find better play at the QB position.
Bridgewater had a career-setting season in 2020, eclipsing personal records for completions in a season (340), passing yards (3,733), rushing yards (279), and touchdowns (15). As pleasant as the 2020 season was for Bridgewater personally, it didn’t produce many wins for the Panthers.
Denver Broncos
In the spring of 2021, the Panthers traded for Sam Darnold. The Darnold trade made Bridgewater expendable, so the Panthers sent Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
Teddy Bridgewater is so unlucky. I hope this injury isn't too serious 🙏 pic.twitter.com/fjinD1TWeL
— alex (@highIightheaven) December 19, 2021
Bridgewater began his Broncos career with a bang, leading Denver to a 2-0 record. Unfortunately, the rest of the season was downhill from there. Bridgewater suffered a concussion during a Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season.
Miami Dolphins
In the spring of 2022, Bridgewater signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins brought in Bridgewater to backup starting QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Bridgewater made a few relief appearances when Tagovailoa was injured, but his lone season in Miami was unremarkable.
Detroit Lions
During the summer of 2023, Bridgewater signed with the Detroit Lions. The signing was a reunion for Bridgewater and head coach Dan Campbell, who coached Bridgewater during his time in New Orleans.
