On Monday, the Detroit Lions officially announced they will be releasing Hendon Hooker. Thus, as of now, Kyle Allen will be the team's backup quarterback. Though that is subject to change depending on who gets cut, Allen is likely safe after his preseason performance.
That said, one former Lions backup quarterback has reportedly earned the QB2 job on their team after signing at the beginning of the month. According to Jeremy Fowler, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater their backup for the 2025 season. Though Bridgewater's coming out of retirement was a bit shocking, this development is not.
The #Bucs are making Teddy Bridgewater the primary backup to Baker Mayfield.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 25, 2025
Bridgewater came out of retirement to sign with Tampa on Aug. 5. Now, he’s QB2. pic.twitter.com/uV2VKlMnwk
Former Lions QB Teddy Bridgewater Named Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Backup
Lions fans have come to know Bridgewater as he has been with the team for the past two seasons. In 2023, Detroit brought the 32-year-old in to back up Jared Goff due to the injury Hooker was nursing when they drafted him. Bridgewater's joining the Lions reunited him with Dan Campbell, who was part of the coaching staff while he was in New Orleans.
Thankfully, Bridgewater was never needed in a game, but having him in the room was the right decision. Following the 2023 season, he retired and became a high school football coach. In December of 2024, Bridgewater unretired and joined the Lions once again.
The 32-year-old did end up seeing a few snaps in the Lions Divisional Round game against the Washington Commanders when Jared Goff went into concussion protocol. He completed one pas for three yards and handed the ball off to Jameson Williams on a trick play for a 61-yard touchdown.
After the season, Bridgewater was supposed to go back to coaching high school football, but he resigned from the job. As a result, he ended up back in the NFL with Tampa Bay.
It is no surprise Bridgewater earned the QB2 job with the Buccaneers. The quarterback he was competing with, Kyle Trask, has done very little to impress in his playing time. Trask was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, which means he was Tom Brady's backup for a season.
With that being said, Trask failing to improve is a bit surprising. Nevertheless, as long as Detroit doesn't have to face Bridgewater, they wish him the best in Tampa Bay.