The strongest NFC team we’ve seen play this season is the Detroit Lions, and with all due respect to the Philadelphia Eagles and other conference participants, they are miles ahead of the rest of the competition. However, the Lions aren’t afraid to add more help as they prepare for the playoffs, and they’ll be joined by a former Carolina Panthers quarterback.

According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Teddy Bridgewater is expected to sign with the Lions. Bridgewater is currently coaching his former high school football team in Florida to a state championship.

This won’t be the first game between Bridgewater and Detroit. Teddy spent some time with the Lions during the 2023 season, but only appeared in one game. Bridgewater previously served one season each in Miami and Denver after leaving Carolina following the 2020 NFL season.

Bridgewater had signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Panthers after a 5-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints last season when Drew Brees was injured. That contract went pretty badly, as Bridgewater went 4-11 as Carolina’s QB1. David Tepper quickly pulled the plug and attempted a fresh start by trading for Sam Darnold, which also didn’t work.

Bridgewater started in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the first round of the draft out of Louisville. Overall, he has a 33-32 record as a starter at this level. In Detroit, he will back up starter Jared Goff, likely ahead of Hendon Hooker on the depth chart.

The Lions look tough as the regular season comes to a close, but they have also been hit by injuries more often than any other team this year, particularly on defense. Just a little more luck in this regard could be enough to give them their first Super Bowl victory.

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