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Bridgewater Returns to Lions, Bucs Seek New Backup
11 Mar
Summary
- Teddy Bridgewater is returning to the Detroit Lions as a backup quarterback.
- The Buccaneers now need to find a new backup quarterback for the 2026 season.
- Connor Bazelak is the only current backup on the Buccaneers' roster.

Teddy Bridgewater has agreed to terms to return to the Detroit Lions, where he will serve as the backup quarterback to Jared Goff. This move necessitates that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find a new backup quarterback for their upcoming 2026 season.
Bridgewater's previous stint with the Lions was during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, though he saw limited action. He joined the Buccaneers in 2025, reuniting with offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, and played in four games, accumulating 62 passing yards.
The Buccaneers currently list only one other quarterback, Connor Bazelak, an undrafted free agent signed in 2025. Bazelak showed promise during the 2025 preseason, completing 32 of 46 passes for 261 yards. He is expected to compete for a backup position.
To bolster their quarterback depth, the Buccaneers are anticipated to seek additional competition through free agency and the upcoming draft. Several veteran free agents, including Jimmy Garoppolo and Tyrod Taylor, remain available.




