NFL Rumors: Lions rule out Cam Newton signing amid pursuit of ex-Dolphins QB Teddy Bridgewater

Unlike Cam Newton, former first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater is garnering interest from a bunch of teams around the league.

Bridgewater spent last season with Miami after being the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback during the 2021 campaign. He was used as a backup last season, appearing in five total games with two starts.

According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Detroit Lions have made a contract offer for Bridgewater.

"𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The #Lions have made a contract offer to former #Dolphins QB Teddy Bridgewater, per @JFowlerESPN. Several other teams have also showed interest."

Several teams have shown interest in Bridgewater, but this is the first known offer from any team. With the news of the Lions offering Bridgewater a contract, it rules out any hope of Cam Newton becoming their backup.

Detroit currently has just two quarterbacks on their roster. They have starter Jared Goff and backup Nate Sudfield. If signed, Bridgewater would most likely become the team's backup over Sudfield.

Bridgewater has started 55 career games, going 33-32 as a regular-season starter. He's thrown for 15,120 yards, 75 touchdowns, 47 interceptions, while adding 11 career rushing touchdowns.

Cam Newton still looking for NFL return

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Newton is looking to return to the NFL. On March 20, he announced on Twitter that he would be throwing at Auburn's pro day, with hopes of attracting a franchise: This past week, Newton said that he would welcome being a backup QB in the NFL, but only for certain teams.

Cam Newton hasn't had a good season since 2017, when he led the Carolina Panthers to an 11-5 record. Since then, he's been 13-23 as a starting quarterback.

He was the New England Patriots' starting quarterback during the 2020 season after Tom Brady departed. Despite leading them to a 7-8 record, Newton didn't play well. He averaged 177 passing yards per game and threw for eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was let go after one season.

In 2021, the Panthers signed him mid-season as they were struggling with quarterback injuries. Newton went 0-5 as a starter for them with a career-low passer rating of 64.4 while completing a career-low 54.8 percent of passes.

The stats aren't in his favor and there are some doubts over whether an NFL team will take a chance on Newton. However, if he were to recapture his career-best form, he could prove to be a steal.