The Detroit Lions are going to have a new backup quarterback for the 2026 season. Lions coach Dan Campbell announced on Sunday that Teddy Bridgewater is stepping away from the team. When asked if this was a retirement from Bridgewater, Campbell suggested that’s where things currently stand.
“I think only he can truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it’s at for sure right now,” Campbell said. “This is where it needs to be and where he felt.”
That leaves the Lions a little precarious at the backup
quarterback position, as the only other rostered quarterback beyond Jared Goff is undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer. Campbell said he intends to add a veteran quarterback to help the depth of the room, but they also like where Altmyer is currently at.
“We like Luke. Luke is growing,” Campbell said. “Luke is getting better. He just needs reps. I mean, he needs a million reps. With the reps that he has gotten at this point, he is improved. So we like him, but we are going to add somebody, and we’d like to add a veteran quarterback. We’re hoping maybe something happens tomorrow.”
As for Bridgewater, Campbell made sure to express his appreciation for his time together, both in Detroit and New Orleans.
“I’ve known Teddy a long time, and, man, the human being is unbelievable,” Campbell said. “Certainly the player, everything he’s about, the teammate that he is, the way he prepares. Always played the game up here and had a huge heart. He’s going to be missed.”
Campbell also noted that the veteran quarterback was concerned he was letting the team down.
“His biggest worry was letting us down,” Campbell said. “That’s the type of guy he is.”
