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Buccaneers Pushing to Land Former $63 Million Pro Bowl Quarterback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan D Adams | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 9:29 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering the signing of a former Pro Bowl quarterback. Baker Mayfield is dealing with a hand injury that does not appear to be serious, but the addition of a veteran signal-caller would give the Bucs some insurance.

As Baker Mayfield continues to deal with a hand injury, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are exploring some potential insurance with the addition of a veteran quarterback. Mayfield's injury is not expected to be serious with the former No. 1 pick returning to the practice field on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay is not taking any chances as the Bucs are hosting a veteran quarterback. The Buccaneers are hosting Teddy Bridgewater for a visit on Tuesday which will include a physical, per Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.

"That was fast: The Bucs are hosting QB Teddy Bridgewater on a visit today, where he’s also undergoing a physical and could sign if all goes well," The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov detailed in an X message on Tuesday. "@BMac_SportsTalk first mentioned the Bridgewater to Tampa connection."

Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater is visiting Tampa today, and is expected to sign with the Buccaneers, per sources.

The Buccaneers will be Bridgewater’s 8th NFL team, and his third NFC South team to go along with the Saints and Panthers. pic.twitter.com/nOEgJOx2xh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2025

The Buccaneers Are Exploring Potentially Signing Teddy Bridgewater as Insurance Behind Baker Mayfield

Bridgewater was briefly the high school football coach at Miami Northwestern. The longtime quarterback's short coaching tenure ended in controversy with Bridgewater now aiming to return to the NFL.

"NEWS: Teddy Bridgewater is officially returning to the NFL and leaving Miami Northwestern," Rivals detailed on Monday. "Bridgewater’s departure comes three weeks after he was suspended by Northwestern due to allegations of providing impermissible benefits to his players."

Baker Mayfield is back practicing today after missing two days last week with a hand contusion. pic.twitter.com/zyjiSbUbEu
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 5, 2025

Tampa Bay has Kyle Trask on the roster, but Bridgewater offers much more experience with 65 career starts in the NFL. Mayfield's injury does not appear to be serious, but the addition of Bridgewater would give the Bucs a bit more of a margin.

Teddy Bridgewater Spent the Last Two Seasons as the Lions Backup QB Behind Jared Goff

Bridgewater is no longer a $63 million quarterback as the signal-caller inked a lucrative deal with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. The Bucs can likely sign Bridgewater on a short, team-friendly contract.

Bridgewater's best connection on the Bucs is Lavonte David -- they both went to Miami's Northwestern High School. David is 35, Bridgewater 32, overlapped one year there.

“From the time he was there we always knew he was going to be a superstar in the making," David told ESPN in…
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 5, 2025

Prior to his brief foray into coaching, Bridgewater served as the Detroit Lions backup quarterback behind Jared Goff for the past two seasons. Bridgewater last served as a full-time starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos, making 14 starts for the franchise in 2021.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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