Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht has disclosed that Teddy Bridgewater was the team’s primary alternative if the club had not successfully signed Tom Brady in the 2020 offseason. During a press engagement on August 5, 2025, Licht noted that Bridgewater was “behind door No. 2” as the preferred choice at quarterback, prior to Brady’s arrival, underscoring the pivotal nature of signing the future Hall of Famer for the franchise.
Licht recounted that the Buccaneers had interviewed Bridgewater back in 2014 before the NFL Draft. The team was considering drafting him if he fell in the order, indicating longstanding interest. He said, “We had him in here in 2014 before the draft… A few years ago, he was what was behind door No. 2.” Ultimately, Tampa Bay clinched Brady’s signing, a decision that proved transformative, as Brady led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl LV victory during his first season and guided the team to multiple playoff appearances before retiring in February 2023.
Bridgewater’s journey since then has included 15 starts with the 2020 Carolina Panthers, posting a 4-11 record, followed by a brief relief role with the Detroit Lions in their 2024 divisional playoff loss. After coaching at Miami Northwestern High School, a suspension related to his off-field support of players gave him availability to return to the NFL. This summer, Bridgewater visited the Buccaneers, underwent a physical, and is expected to sign to compete for the backup quarterback position behind starter Baker Mayfield and incumbent backup Kyle Trask.
Jason Licht emphasized that while Trask is currently the backup, the team welcomes healthy competition at quarterback. He remarked, “We still have preseason games to play… All possibilities are out there.” The addition of Bridgewater, a seasoned veteran, brings valuable experience and leadership to the quarterback room, particularly with Mayfield navigating injury challenges. Licht described Bridgewater’s signing as “a good addition and a wealth of experience” that will benefit the team as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
The Buccaneers’ quarterback landscape now includes Mayfield as the starter, with Trask and Bridgewater battling for backup duties. Licht’s revelation not only highlights Bridgewater’s long presence on the team’s radar but also sheds light on the contingency plans the franchise had before Brady decided to join Tampa Bay. The signing of Brady in 2020 remains a franchise-altering moment, but the renewed interest in Bridgewater signals the team’s pragmatic approach to roster depth and quarterback stability moving forward.