Overview
- Coach Dan Campbell said Sunday that Bridgewater informed the team he was “stepping away,” and the Lions placed him on the reserve/retired list.
- Bridgewater’s departure left undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer as the only other quarterback on the roster behind Jared Goff, prompting the team to seek an experienced backup.
- Hours after the announcement, Detroit worked out several veterans and agreed to a one-year contract with Josh Dobbs, a 31-year-old journeyman reported to receive about $1.425 million with roughly $475,000 guaranteed.
- Dobbs is familiar with Detroit’s staff and offensive system and is expected to take reps in the preseason so Altmyer does not have to serve as the primary insurance in case Goff is unavailable.
- Bridgewater is an 11-year NFL veteran who previously retired after 2023, coached high school football, returned to the league twice, and his sudden exit creates short-term roster risk while leaving open the slim possibility he could change his mind.