Detroit Lions sign QB Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater's one-year, $1.8M deal with Detroit earns a **C+ Contract Value Index (CVI)**, reflecting a middling value proposition that makes sense as depth but offers little upside. At $1.8M annually, this is a veteran minimum-adjacent price tag for a backup quarterback—cheap enough to clear cap space, not so light that it signals the team views him as entirely expendable. The real question isn't whether Bridgewater is overpaid; it's whether Detroit is getting starter insurance or dead weight on the roster. A one-year structure removes long-term commitment risk, which is prudent roster management, but also means there's no financial incentive for the organization to invest in his development or leverage his experience as a mentor. With the Lions sitting at 9-8 and clinging to playoff positioning in a tight division, a short-term backup signing feels like a safe hedge rather than a strategic addition—the kind of move that doesn't move the needle on championship odds but doesn't blow up the salary cap either. CVI reflects that cautious middle ground: adequate value for a role player, insufficient value to be considered a smart acquisition or a mistake.