Josh Dobbs, Lions Agree to New Contract Amid Teddy Bridgewater's Potential Retirement

The Detroit Lions reportedly have found a new backup amid Teddy Bridgewater's potential retirement.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Lions are signing veteran Josh Dobbs to a one-year, $1.425 million deal with $475,000 fully guaranteed.

According to Garafolo, the Lions also worked out former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener and UFL MVP Jack Plummer on Sunday, but ultimately went with Dobbs.

The signing comes after Detroit head coach Dan Campbell announced that Bridgewater was stepping away from the team for undisclosed reasons.

While it's unclear how long Bridgewater plans to be away, Rapoport noted that the 33-year-old could be retiring, as he was placed on the reserve/retired list. Bridgewater initially retired after the 2023 campaign but returned last season. He joined the Lions in March on a one-year deal.

Bridgewater has spent most of his career as a backup quarterback, with his last season as a starter coming in 2021 with the Denver Broncos.

Dobbs, a fourth-round pick out of Tennessee in 2017, spent the 2025 campaign with the New England Patriots, where he appeared in four games. Dobbs is a career backup, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Patriots.

The 31-year-old has thrown for 3,346 yards, 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions across 27 career games. He's also rushed for 515 yards and added eight scores on the ground.

Along with Dobbs, the Lions have Luke Altmyer in their quarterback room behind Jared Goff. Altmyer went undrafted out of Illinois this season.

Detroit opens the preseason with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, where it's likely both Dobbs and Altmyer get reps.