Detroit Lions bring back QB Teddy Bridgewater

The Detroit Lions have added a well-known quarterback to the roster for the playoffs.

Former Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is signing with the Detroit Lions, coach Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday. NFL Network first reported the impending transaction.

Bridgewater came to Detroit in 2023 as a replacement for starting quarterback Jared Goff, but did not appear in any action. He announced his retirement during the 2023 season to pursue a career as a high school coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern.

Campbell said he has been in contact with Bridgewater for some time and believes such a move was always possible this season.

“I had been in contact with Teddy and it was always a possibility,” Campbell said. “And we all know what Teddy has done down there and what he gives back to his community.”

Bridgewater spent the 2024 season at Miami Northwestern and led the school to the Florida state championship in his first year. Shortly thereafter, the 32-year-old Bridgewater announced that he wanted to return to the NFL as a backup.

“Just to be able to bring someone back here with experience,” Campbell said. “He’s staying in shape, he’s been throwing. I’ll just let him train here for a bit.”

“It just brings a level of professionalism and veteran presence. Someone who will be great for our team. He’s great for the position.”

Bridgewater knows Lions

Bridgewater didn’t throw a pass during his time in Detroit and once took a knee at the end of a game before leaving to coach. He gained a reputation as a valuable veteran mentor to young offensive players like wide receiver Jameson Williams and also helped prepare Goff during the week.

“It’s great for our team,” Campbell said. “I think everyone in this locker room respects Teddy and what he stands for and the type of person he is, but also the type of player.”

“Whenever he gets his sea legs back under control, he’s going to test these guys a little bit defensively, which is good in practice.”

Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell added: “I think I just said it right, he’s a great resource for Jared, the other young quarterbacks Jake (Fromm) and Hendon (Hooker), and he’s a professional. He works hard, he prepares. “He’s the starter and that’s what you want. And he’s just great to be with. He has some great stories and he brings a lot of life to the room and some experience.

Bridgewater is a nine-year NFL veteran with 65 career starts since 2014. He was drafted as the quarterback of the future for the Minnesota Vikings, but suffered a knee injury during training camp in 2016 that changed the course of his career.

Bridgewater returned as a reserve late in the 2017 season and spent six years with six different NFL teams: the New York Jets, who traded him before he ever played in a game; the Saints, Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Lions.

Bridgewater spent time with members of the Lions’ coaching staff like Dan Campbell, Aaron Glenn and Kelvin Sheppard during his time in New Orleans, and the long-standing connections helped him come to Detroit in 2023.

Back from high school job

In his first year as a high school coach, Bridgewater posted a 12-2 record and won the Florida 3A state championship with a 41-0 record. He is expected to join the quarterback room behind Goff and alongside backups Hendon Hooker and Jake Fromm.

Campbell said the move wasn’t an indictment of Hooker, who has played sparingly in gaffes as Goff’s backup this season. He said bringing back one of Hooker’s mentors would be an asset to both the locker room and the position group.

“(Hooker) has really improved,” Campbell said. “We feel like he’s getting a little bit better every week and that doesn’t mean Hooker is out. That doesn’t mean. If it comes to that, Hooker will play for us, but Teddy probably will too.”

“So I understand what it looks like, but it’s just a different world that we want to enter. And we felt like this was the right thing to do, especially with someone that I can have a tremendous amount of trust in. “Because he understands our offense well, the coaches know him well and he brings us a level of comfort.”

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Detroit Lions bring back QB Teddy Bridgewater

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