Former Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has confirmed his retirement ahead of the 2026 NFL season.Bridgewater, who played for the Cardinals from 2011-13, was selected 32nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Miami native bounced around the league, making stops with the Jets, Saints, Panthers, Broncos, Dolphins, Lions and Buccaneers."This time its official," he wrote on Instagram. "Its so crazy 10 years ago around this time, I suffered one of the most gruesome knee injuries the game itself, its players and some doctors had ever seen. Everything football related since 2016 had been fueled by the 'experts' predicting that I would never play football again. We really showed them by playing 10 more seasons!"He continued: "However, this wheel of mine can no longer deal with something so simple as standing around on the turf field. This thing just doesnt recover the same way it did years ago so I rather officially hang it up. Its finally run its course and when the body speaks to me, I have to listen so that I can be in one piece and available for my children as they grow up. The game of football was beyond great to me and owes me nothing at all. I really did things my way Lol."As a Cardinal, Bridgewater threw for 9,817 passing yards and 72 touchdowns. He sits third all-time for passing yards in program history behind Chris Redman and Brian Brohm.Bridgewater was named Big East Rookie of the Year in 2011 while at Louisville. The following season, he was Big East Offensive Player of the Year.In the NFL, Bridgewater was the 2014 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, a Pro Bowler in 2015 and the recipient of the Art Rooney Award, which is given in recognition of outstanding sportsmanship on the field. Over his career, he threw for 15,187 yards and 75 touchdowns.Reachsports trending writer Alaina Morris atamorris@gannett.comand follow her on X at @alainammorris.This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ex-Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater confirms retirement on social media