TAMPA, Fla. — With every corner Teddy Bridgewater turns at One Buc Place, a piece of his past collides with the present.

If it’s not his former Louisville head coach, Charlie Strong, doing bed checks at the Buccaneers team hotel Tuesday night, then he’s bumping into Randy Shannon, who once got him to commit to the University of Miami. Or it’s brushing up against offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who was on the staff with the Dolphins when he was there a few years ago.

Next, the vagabond quarterback is talking with George Edwards, the Bucs defensive pass game coordinator who was on the staff for the Vikings when he was drafted by Minnesota. Todd Bowles signed Bridgewater as a free agent when he was the Jets head coach in 2018 before trading him to New Orleans.

“I think the story of my career though, man, has just been relationships,” said Bridgewater, who signed a one-year deal with the Bucs on Tuesday. “The relationships I’ve build around this league with different coaches, with different coordinators, different assistants ...

“If I can leave a lasting impression on my kids in South Florida, anyone who has followed this journey, I always just cherish those relationships. That will take you a long way.”

Bridgewater’s kids are the players on the Miami Northwestern High School football team he coached to a 12-2 record and Class 3A state championship, including a 41-0 rout in the title game.

But Bridgewater was suspended last month by the school for providing impermissible benefits to his players, including Uber rides, meals and recovery services that Bridgewater said he paid for.

“When I decided to coach, those players became my sons, and I want to make sure I protect them the best way I can,” he said. “I think that’s what came about. Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood. Sometimes, things can happen when kids are walking home and things like that, so I just try to protect them or give them a ride home instead of having them take those dangerous walks.

“I have a big heart. I get it from my mom, and I always said I was once a little kid. I know what it’s like to be in their shoes. I know what it’s like to walk those halls at Miami Northwestern and to have your stomach growling and rumbling at 12 o’clock in the afternoon because you didn’t have any lunch money or you don’t get a free lunch.

“I can’t change who I am. I’ll still give to those kids. When I say give, it’s not about money. It’s about my time and my presence.”

The Bucs wanted Bridgewater’s experience to help Baker Mayfield and compete with Kyle Trask as the team’s No. 2 quarterback. Bridgewater said his plan always was to return to the NFL when the opportunity presented itself.

He signed with the Lions prior to the playoffs last season and even completed his only pass in an NFC division game.

On Wednesday, Bridgewater wore a No. 16 creamsicle non-contact jersey. He participated in passing drills, virtual pat-and-gos, with receivers. But he spent most of the practice watching and did some individual work with quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis.

Bowles said he does not plan on Bridgewater playing in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans.

“That’s what we’re waiting to see — how much he can absorb," Bowles said. ”He’ll be ready to play if he has to clean up the ball game. We don’t plan on it at this stage in time.

“He didn’t take many reps today other than the warmup reps. It would be unfair to put him out there and play like that. But we’ll get him caught up to speed as much as possible and then we’ll kind of make a decision based on how the game is going.”

Bridgewater recounted how he almost became a Buc on two other occasions. He took a top-30 visit to Tampa prior to the 2014 NFL draft. He also was the Bucs’ primary choice to sign after severing ties with Jameis Winston following the 2019 season. But then Tom Brady showed an interest in the Bucs and Bridgewater was off to Carolina.

“I was looking forward to being in Tampa, but things played out the way they did,” Bridgewater said. ”In 2020, we thought it was a lock, but they got the GOAT, man. Tom Brady. Hey, a lot of things get put on pause for Tom Brady.“

On Wednesday, Bridgewater warmed up next to Mayfield and the offensive line. He said he’s remained in shape coaching, and his arm looked live and accurate during the brief time he participated in drills.

“Honestly, I feel great,” he said. “I’ve been working down in South Florida. I’ve been working with the high school kids before I got suspended and everything. It was getting done before 6 a.m., running the track, running the bridge pushing the sled, so it was a real grind.

“I want to stay active. I don’t want to sit around eating donuts and ice cream. I feel great. I’m just excited.”

Bridgewater’s resume speaks for itself: 15,120 career yards passing with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. He rushed for 844 yards and 11 scores.

But he said he gained new perspective on the game by coaching at Miami Northwestern that should help him prepare better as a quarterback.

“I’ve become a more detailed player from being a coach,” Bridgewater said. “Because now, as I’m game planning as a coach, I’m really having to dissect them. Sometimes when you’re a player, you see little things that can help. But as a coach, you have to dive in and really know your opponent. ... When I’m a coach. I have to know all 11 guys’ jobs on offense and defense.”

Bridgewater was impressed by what he saw on the Bucs practice field.

“It’s a talented group, Some young guys, some older guys,” Bridgewater said. “(Mayfield) is awesome, man. I get fired up when I walk into the quarterback room.”

For Bridgewater, it’s more relationships to foster, more young players to inspire. And in the perfect setting.

“It just feels like I’m home.”

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