He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the 2013 Sugar Bowl, and was selected as the final first round pick of the 2014 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

Bridgewater joined the New Orleans Saints in 2018 as a backup, but served as the team's starter in relief of Drew Brees and helped contribute to them winning their conference's top seed.

[3] In his sophomore year, Bridgewater replaced Jacory Harris as starting quarterback and took over a team that had been named the 2007 national champions by USA Today.

Northwestern finished the season 13–3, falling short to Seminole High School of Sanford 28–21 in the 6A state title game.

In a late-September game against Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School, he completed 19 of 24 passes for 327 yards and a Dade County record of seven touchdowns.

As a senior, Bridgewater had 2,606 passing yards and 22 touchdowns despite missing parts of the season with a medial collateral ligament injury.

[8] However, after the firing of Miami head coach Randy Shannon in November 2010, Bridgewater switched his commitment to the University of Louisville.

In his only non-starting action, coming off the bench while injured against Rutgers, Bridgewater led his team to a win, a Big East title, and a berth to the BCS.

[19] Bridgewater finished sixth in the nation in completion percentage, eighth in yards per attempt, and seventh in passing efficiency.

[26][27] As early as April 2013, Bridgewater was seen as one of the top prospects for the 2014 NFL draft, alongside Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Manziel.

[38] Bridgewater made his NFL debut on September 21, 2014, against the New Orleans Saints, entering in relief of the injured Cassel and finished the game with 150 passing yards.

[39] Bridgewater was named the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season after Cassel, who broke his foot in the aforementioned game, was placed on injured reserve.

[51] Bridgewater threw for no touchdowns and an interception behind a struggling offensive line that allowed five sacks in the 3–20 loss at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.

[53] Bridgewater had some struggles in week three against the San Diego Chargers, going 13 of 24 for 121 yards and one interception but won the game 31–14 with a strong performance by the defense and running back Adrian Peterson.

[54] He rebounded to go 27 of 41, 269 yards and a touchdown pass to Mike Wallace against Denver Broncos who had the number one ranked defense coming into the game.

During the wild-card round against the Seahawks in one of the coldest games ever played, Bridgewater was 17-of-24 for 146 yards as the Vikings fell 10–9 after Blair Walsh missed a 27-yard field goal.

[66] A subsequent MRI confirmed that Bridgewater tore his ACL and suffered other structural damage, including a dislocation of the knee joint.

Head coach Mike Zimmer said on June 6, that Bridgewater "has a long way to go" until he is fully healed, but was impressed by his rehabilitation progress to that point.

[91] During Week 2, he replaced Drew Brees, who left with a right thumb injury, completing 17 of 30 passes for 165 yards in a 27–9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

[97] Bridgewater made his Panthers debut in the season-opening 34–30 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and finished the game with 269 passing yards, including a 75-yard touchdown to former Jets teammate Robby Anderson.

[104] The team brought in Bridgewater to compete with incumbent quarterback Drew Lock, and the players split starts throughout the 2021 preseason.

[106] On September 12, Bridgewater made his Broncos debut on the road against the New York Giants, completing 28-of-36 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–13 season-opening victory.

[112] Bridgewater made his first appearance for the Dolphins in Week 3 against the Bills after starter Tua Tagovailoa briefly left the game in the second quarter.

[120] On August 10, 2023, Bridgewater signed with the Lions, a move which reunited him with Dan Campbell, the assistant head coach during his time with the Saints.

[121] On December 16, 2023, Bridgewater announced his plans to retire from the NFL following the conclusion of the season, and become a high school football coach.

[124] Bridgewater briefly appeared in the Divisional Round game against the Washington Commanders, relieving Jared Goff who underwent concussion evaluation for three plays during the second quarter.

He completed his only pass for 3 yards, and handed off the ball in a trick play that led to a 61-yard rushing touchdown from Jameson Williams.

[127] After the Lions' 2023 season ended with a loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game, Bridgewater formally confirmed his retirement from playing.

[128] In his first season, Bridgewater and Miami Northwestern won the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title.

In 2014, soon after her son was drafted by the Vikings, Cadillac presented a pink Escalade to Rose when they learned that Bridgewater had wanted to get her one ever since he was in the third grade.