Amid a string of quarterback injuries, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added a steady veteran presence to their roster.
On Sunday, the team signed Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year deal, aiming to bolster their depth behind starter Baker Mayfield and ease the training camp workload. Bridgewater, 32, brings 10 years of NFL experience and 65 career starts. With Michael Pratt sidelined due to a back injury and Mayfield recovering from a minor hand contusion, Tampa needed a reliable option to help balance camp reps and mentor the young quarterback room.
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Head coach Todd Bowles praised Bridgewater’s leadership and readiness.Bridgewater isn’t here to challenge Mayfield, who remains firmly entrenched as QB1 after a resurgent 2024 season. Instead, he’s expected to serve as a stabilizing force on the field when needed, and in the film room as a sounding board. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp football IQ, Bridgewater has spent recent seasons in Miami, Detroit, and Denver, carving out a role as one of the league’s most dependable backup options.
He’ll also be a valuable resource for backups, Kyle Trask, and Michael Pratt.
The signing comes at a crucial time in camp, with joint practices and preseason games approaching. Bridgewater provides a veteran arm who can operate the offense quickly, without the learning curve that would come with a rookie or project player. While not a headline-grabbing move, Bridgewater’s addition is a smart one. For a Bucs team with playoff hopes and a thin quarterback room, adding experience and leadership at football’s most important position was too important to ignore.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Addition of Teddy Bridgewater gives Bucs added leadership qualities