Bills Sign Former Lions QB Teddy Bridgewater as QB2 Backup for Josh Allen

Buffalo, NY – March 17, 2025

The Buffalo Bills are shoring up their quarterback depth, signing former Detroit Lions signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater to a 1-year, $3 million deal to serve as Josh Allen’s primary backup. The move, finalized Monday, brings a seasoned veteran to Orchard Park, giving Bills Mafia a sigh of relief after years of uncertainty behind their superstar QB.

Bridgewater, 32, joins Buffalo after a stint with the Lions in 2024, where he backed up Jared Goff during their NFC Championship run. Known for his steady hand and clutch performances, the ex-Vikings and Saints starter replaces Mitchell Trubisky, whose contract expires in 2025, as the Bills’ QB2. With Allen locked in through 2030, Bridgewater’s role is clear: keep the ship afloat if the MVP takes a rare breather.

“Teddy’s a pro’s pro,” GM Brandon Beane said. “He’s been in big games, knows how to win, and fits what we need behind Josh.” The 1-year, $3 million contract, with $1.5 million guaranteed, slips neatly into Buffalo’s $9.1 million cap space—made possible after cutting Von Miller—offering a low-risk, high-reward upgrade over Trubisky’s uneven tenure.

Bridgewater’s resume speaks volumes. In 2024 with Detroit, he saw limited action (projected 11/17, 136 yards, 1 TD in one game), but his career shines brighter: a 66.4% completion rate, 15,120 yards, and a 5-0 record stepping in for Drew Brees in 2019. While less mobile than Allen, his pocket presence and accuracy align with Buffalo’s pass-heavy scheme, ensuring continuity if the star rests.

Bills fans took to X with cautious optimism. “Bridgewater over Trubisky? Smart move—Teddy’s clutch!” one tweeted. Another mused, “Not as flashy as Josh, but he won’t sink us.” Some miss Trubisky’s scrambling, but Bridgewater’s 33-32 record as a starter trumps Mitch’s 29-21, calming nerves about a potential Allen injury.

The $3 million price tag is a steal compared to Trubisky’s $2.625 million annual average, reflecting Bridgewater’s willingness to play second fiddle on a contender. With Mike White as QB3, Buffalo now has a reliable hierarchy: Allen’s the rocket, Bridgewater’s the stabilizer. It’s not a sexy signing, but for a team eyeing a Super Bowl, it’s a safety net they can’t afford to skip.

Bridgewater’s no stranger to the AFC East—he went 2-0 with the Dolphins in 2022—and his veteran savvy could prove vital in a tight playoff race. As the Bills load up with stars like Tyreek Hill, adding “Teddy Two Gloves” signals they’re serious about covering all bases. Bills Mafia hopes they never see him start—but if they do, they’ve got a QB2 ready to roll.