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Lions Make Major QB Move After Teddy Bridgewater Steps Away
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- Lions Make Major QB Move After Teddy Bridgewater Steps Away
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
With the second week of Detroit Lions training camp coming to a close, the team has plenty of news and notes to report.
The biggest development came when coach Dan Campbell announced that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would be stepping away from the team. Bridgewater was later placed on the reserve/retired list.
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Bridgewater returned to Detroit this offseason and was expected to serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jared Goff . He spent the 2023 season with the Lions as Goff's backup before leaving for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, where he served as a backup to Baker Mayfield .
With just one quarterback behind Goff in undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer, the Lions moved quickly to add depth. Detroit signed veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs to a one-year, $1.425 million contract that includes $475,000 fully guaranteed.
The Lions also hosted several players for tryouts, including LB Burney, CB Trevon Diggs , LB Milo Eifler , QB Jake Haener , WR Julian Hicks, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga and QB Jack Plummer .
The most notable name of the group is Diggs, although he is a player I would pass on despite Detroit's current lack of depth in the secondary.
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Diggs has made an All-Pro team and Pro Bowl while leading the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021. However, injuries have significantly altered the trajectory of his career.
Diggs suffered a fractured foot and later tore his ACL, limiting his availability over the past several seasons. He has played in just 31 of a possible 85 games over the last five seasons.
Diggs did not record an interception in 2025 and was released by the Dallas Cowboys before eventually landing with the Green Bay Packers .
Last season, Diggs posted a 59.8 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 68th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His 65.9 coverage grade ranked 45th, while his 44.5 run-defense grade ranked 99th at the position. He also allowed a 157.2 passer rating when targeted.
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At one point, Diggs was considered one of the NFL's premier playmaking cornerbacks. However, his recent injury history and decline in production raise questions about whether he can return to that level.
Goff won't play in preseason opener
Campbell also confirmed that Goff will not play in the Lions' preseason opener.
Campbell joked that he would rather send wide receiver Tom Kennedy onto the field and "figure it out."
Campbell believes Gibbs has another level
Campbell continues to believe running back Jahmyr Gibbs has plenty of room to grow despite already establishing himself as one of the NFL's most explosive players.
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"We're gonna push him, because we think this kid can be one of the best, if not the best," Campbell said. "We've only scratched the surface of him."
Gibbs recently signed a three-year, $67.5 million extension with the Lions that can reach $75.75 million, making him the NFL's highest-paid running back by new-money average annual value.
Bartch returns to practice
Campbell said offensive lineman Ben Bartch would receive around 10 team snaps during practice, marking his first team work of training camp.
Bartch's return gives Detroit another opportunity to evaluate its offensive line depth as the preseason approaches.
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DJ Reed dealing with minor injury
Campbell also provided an update on cornerback DJ Reed, who is dealing with a minor groin injury.
Campbell said the injury is not considered serious and that the team is not concerned about Reed's availability moving forward.
With the second week of training camp nearly complete, the Lions continue to work through several roster battles and evaluate their depth ahead of the preseason.
