The Detroit Lions lost their backup quarterback, Kyle Allen, to free agency, who will soon be reuniting with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. So they are bringing back Jared Goff's old backup, Teddy Bridgewater.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal to bring Bridgewater back to Ford Field was finalized on Tuesday.

Bridgewater has had a rocky history with the Lions. He was initially signed as a backup to Goff in August 2023, playing in only one game and logging three snaps.

He then chose to retire from the NFL and went on to coach Miami Northwestern, his high school alma mater. Later in 2024, Bridgewater rejoined the NFL with the Detroit Lions while they were having a successful season.

After a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, Bridgewater is back on the Lions' roster. However, Bridgewater's return is seen more as a backup. According to head coach Adam Campbell, he is a leader in the locker room.

"He would come in the day before the game, and he would take those young receivers out, go through the whole game plan, tell them what they’re looking for. ‘Here is the coverage, here is what I’m thinking. How are you running this? No, I do not like that.’ He ran the scout teams, he was competitive, running cards. It was just awesome, man," said Campbell back in 2023.

Bridgewater fills the backup spot left behind by Kyle Allen, who fought for it with Hendon Hooker last year. The Lions liked what Allen did during the training camp and preseason and preferred him over Hooker.

Kyle Allen Will Now Serve as Backup to His Friend Josh Allen

As per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kyle Allen has signed a two-year, $4.1 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, which is worth up to $6.1 million.

After their recent backup quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, left for the Tennessee Titans, the Bills brought in Allen, who cost them less than Trubisky.

However, that is not the only reason the Bills went after Allen. They wanted someone who was familiar with their starting quarterback, Josh Allen.

Although Kyle Allen has only played for one season with the Bills, he is already close friends with Josh Allen. They trained for their draft and entered the NFL together. Josh Allen and his now-wife, Hailee Steinfeld, even attended Kyle Allen's wedding in Mexico.

With Kyle Allen signing for the Bills, he becomes the fourth Detroit Lions player to leave the team through free agency.

What do you think about Teddy Bridgewater joining the Lions? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Shyam Hari