The letter

• The Detroit Lions have resigned Teddy Bridgewater after the quarterback retired last season

• The former quarterback brings a “veteran presence” to the team, coach Dan Campbell said Thursday

• The Lions play the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, the second-to-last game of the season

(FOX2) – The Detroit Lions have resigned Teddy Bridgewater, bringing back the team’s former backup quarterback ahead of the upcoming playoffs.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Bridgewater’s return means bringing back a level of professionalism and experience that will be invaluable heading into the postseason.

“You know, the presence of veterans — someone who’s great for our team is great for the position,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we’re disappointed with (Hendon) Hooker, that’s not the meaning.”

The team’s current backup was drafted last year and saw minimal playing time as Jared Goff continued to thrive in Detroit.

“It just means we have a guy with that — someone who has played a lot in the NFL. We’re getting ready for the playoffs,” Campbell said.

While Bridgewater’s first stint with the team was short-lived, it did reunite him with Campbell after the two had been part of the New Orleans Saints for years prior.

During his retirement, he was named head coach of his old high school in Florida. Campbell said he has been in touch with the former quarterback about a possible return.

Lions vs. 49ers: NFC Championship rematch

Months earlier, this game was likely circled as a possible preview of a late playoff game.

San Francisco eked out a come-from-behind victory over Detroit in the NFC Conference Championship and secured its ticket to the Super Bowl.

But a lot has changed and while Detroit has become one of the best teams in football, San Francisco has been hit hard by injuries and eliminated from the playoffs.

That doesn’t mean the Lions’ return to Levi’s Stadium will be any easier. Campbell said Thursday he believes his team has matured a lot since the last game in California and is ready for the challenge it faces.

“We did some things wrong and they did some things right, and I think you understand how the game can go and where it can go,” he said.

He added that getting the most out of every play and every rep could make the difference in the game – and that his team was “much more prepared” to take advantage of that opportunity.

“That experience, difficult as it was, served us well throughout the remainder of this year,” he said.

While the 49ers have a mostly healthy defense, their offense has been plagued by injuries, particularly at their running back and receiver positions.

Detroit overcame the opposite by staying healthy on offense but battling through issues on defense. While it’s too early to tell, the Lions could potentially bring back Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

He played his last game in November against Green Bay before injuring his neck.

Meanwhile, the Lions also added wide receiver Kalif Raymond to their injury evaluation window, allowing him to begin practicing after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 12.

Although it’s unlikely he plays on Sunday, he could get back into shape for the playoffs.