Teddy Bridgewater with the Vikings in 2015.
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Teddy Bridgewater went from NFL quarterback to high school football coach — back to NFL quarterback.

Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater is expected to sign with the Buccaneers, marking his return to the NFL and his eighth team after stints with the Saints, Panthers & more.

After a messy split with his high school alma mater, Bridgewater is back in the NFL, reportedly signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday.

He’ll vie for a QB2 job and support Baker Mayfield this season.

Bridgewater’s Career Takes Another Turn to Tampa Bay

The Vikings drafted Bridgewater a decade ago from Round 1.

Teddy Bridgewater walks off field after Broncos win at Dallas.
Denver Broncos quarterback T. Bridgewater (5) comes off the field following a win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 7, 2021. The road victory added another solid performance to Bridgewater’s 2021 campaign with Denver. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.

Teddy Bridgewater to the Buccaneers

It’s virtually a done deal for Bridgewater. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater is visiting Tampa today, and is expected to sign with the Buccaneers, per sources. The Buccaneers will be Bridgewater’s 8th NFL team, and his third NFC South team to go along with the Saints and Panthers.”

“Tampa needed another quarterback because Buccaneers QB Michael Pratt has been dealing with a back injury. Plus, Bridgewater always has been widely respected and a player others want on their roster. Now Tampa adds QB help and another leader.”

If Bridgewater starts a game in 2025, due to an injury to Baker Mayfield or otherwise, it will be his first start in three years. His last occurred with the Miami Dolphins in 2022.

Support for Baker Mayfield

Mayfield has absolutely reclaimed his career in Tampa, so much so that he has nothing more to prove in the way of establishing himself as a QB1. He’s also durable.

However, if Mayfield misses a game or two, Bridgewater would be in the mix to fill in as the QB2 this season. He has the experience, with 65 starts, over 15,000 passing yards, and 75 passing touchdowns. Teams led by Bridgewater have a 33-32 (.507) win-loss record on his watch.

Teddy Bridgewater throws warmup pass before Vikings-Seahawks game.
Minnesota quarterback T. Bridgewater (5) prepares to throw during pregame drills before facing the Seattle Seahawks on December 6, 2015, at TCF Bank Stadium. The game took place during Bridgewater’s second season as Minnesota’s starting quarterback. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Here’s the Buccaneers’ quarterback depth chart just before the start of the preseason:

  • Baker Mayfield
  • Kyle Trask
  • Teddy Bridgewater
  • Michael Pratt
  • Connor Bazelak

If Bridgewater plays well in the preseason — he probably will — Tampa Bay would have a tricky decision between him and Pratt for the 53-man roster at QB3.

Career Resume to Date

All told, here’s Bridgewater’s extensive NFL resume to date:

  • Minnesota Vikings (2014–2017)
  • New York Jets (2018)
  • New Orleans Saints (2018–2019)
  • Carolina Panthers (2020)
  • Denver Broncos (2021)
  • Miami Dolphins (2022)
  • Detroit Lions (2023–2024)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025–present)

Bridgewater basically ended his career as a starter, at least for the time being, in 2021. The Broncos trusted him with QB1 duty — Denver went 7-7 with Bridgewater in charge — and he has not latched on as a full-time starter anywhere since.

That’s severely unlikely to change in Tampa Bay, but stranger things have happened if Mayfield ever encountered a setback.

Bridgewater began his NFL journey with the Vikings in 2015, furnishing a promising start to his young voyage, but succumbed to a ghastly practice injury in 2016 that effectively ended his QB1 stay in the Twin Cities. Once upon a time, Bridgewater was the one great hope for Minnesota, not unlike J.J. McCarthy in 2025.

A Bittersweet High School Coaching Career

The former Vikings signal-caller coached his former high school football team last year, leading Miami Northwestern to a State Championship for his troubles. Yet, in July, reports surfaced that he catered to players using his own money, paying for Uber rides, food, and injury-healing services, among other expenses.

Teddy Bridgewater drops back to pass in Broncos game vs. Cowboys.
T. Bridgewater (5) of the Denver Broncos in action against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 7, 2021. Bridgewater played a key role in Denver’s offensive success during this Week 9 matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.

The high school’s brass flipped out as that type of support is forbidden. The program suspended Bridgewater, and he claimed his return to school was in jeopardy.

When the miniature scandal erupted, originally Bridgewater posted to social media in a since-deleted message, “I’m not going anywhere. And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.”

Rick Stroud on Bridgewater

TampaBay.com‘s Rick Stroud added Bridgewater context on Tuesday: “Looking for more experience should Baker Mayfield go down, the Bucs are visiting with veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater today. The Bucs host their first preseason game on Saturday.”

“If Bridgewater’s physical checks out, he is expected to sign with Tampa Bay. Bridgewater has played 10 NFL seasons with the Vikings (2014-15, 2017), Saints (2018-19), Panthers (2020), Broncos (2021), Dolphins (2022) and Lions (2023-24).”

Bridgewater will turn 33 in November.

Teddy Bridgewater plays QB for Vikings in 2015 game vs. Packers.
Minnesota quarterback T. Bridgewater (5) lines up against the Green Bay Packers at TCF Bank Stadium on November 22, 2015. Bridgewater faced intense pressure during this divisional showdown, which ended in a 30-15 Vikings loss. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Stroud continued, “In fact, Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was with Bridgewater for his last regular-season start with the Dolphins. Bridgewater completed 1,372 of 2,067 passes (66.4%) for 15,120 yards with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in his decade in the NFL. He added 844 yards and 11 scores rushing.”

“In his second pro season, Bridgewater was named to the Pro Bowl after starting all 16 games for the Vikings and leading them to an 11-5 record.”

The Vikings play the Buccaneers again in 2026, this time at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay is expected to win 9.5 games this season, according to oddsmakers, one more than the Vikings. Minnesota’s preseason begins on Saturday versus the Houston Texans.