Teddy Bridgewater is back in the NFL.
The veteran quarterback is signing a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after visiting and passing a physical on Tuesday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed of the situation.
Starter Baker Mayfield missed the past two practices with a hand contusion but returned to on-field work on Tuesday. Kyle Trask, Michael Pratt and Connor Bazelak round out the QB room. The Bucs wanted another arm, as Pratt is currently on the physically unable to perform list.
Rapoport added that Trask will still back up Mayfield, but Bridgewater, 32, will provide depth and a veteran presence in the QB room while Pratt is sidelined.
"He'd bring us a wealth of experience at that spot," coach Todd Bowles said after Tuesday's practice when asked about the then-potential signing. "Obviously, we don't have it. Kyle's been here a few years, but he hasn't really played. Obviously, we have a new guy (Bazelak) just coming in. We need the extra arm, we think we need some experience in that room, and the more experience the better."
Teddy Two Gloves joined the Detroit Lions late last season after helping coach Miami Northwestern High School to a state title. The 11-year pro was suspended this summer from the high school job for providing "impermissible benefits" to his players, including paying for food, Uber rides and other services.
Now he'll join the Bucs as they seek their fifth consecutive NFC South title.
Bridgewater brings experience behind Mayfield, which is lacking with the current backup Trask, who has zero starts and has played in seven total games in four years. The former second-round pick attempted a single pass last year and has gone 4-of-11 passing in his career for 28 yards. Bridgewater, meanwhile, entered the NFL as a starter in 2014 and has amassed 65 starts and earned a 2015 Pro Bowl nod before his career-altering knee injury in 2016.
Bridgewater has proven to be an ideal teammate and backup, one who can enter the game in a pinch, as he did for a series in the postseason last year in Detroit when Jared Goff was being evaluated for a concussion.
"I believe he can [help Mayfield]," Bowles said. "If he's here, he's definitely a guy that can do that. He's been in some of the systems that Baker has been in. He has a wealth of knowledge from a coaching standpoint as well as a playing standpoint. He can't do nothing but help."
Adding Bridgewater gives the Bucs insurance should Mayfield go down and Trask prove not up to the task of being a full-time starter.
