The Detroit Lions have signed a familiar quarterback to the roster for the playoff run.
Former Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is signing with the Detroit Lions, which coach Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday. The NFL Network first reported the impending transaction.
Bridgewater joined Detroit as the backup to starting quarterback Jared Goff in 2023 but did not appear in any action. He announced his retirement during the 2023 season to pursue a career in high school coaching at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern.
Campbell said he had been in contact with Bridgewater for awhile and felt a move like this could always be possible this season.
“I’ve been in contact with Teddy and it was something that was always potentially a possibility,” Campbell said. “And we all know what Teddy has been doing down there and giving back to his community.”
Bridgewater spent the 2024 season with Miami Northwestern and led the school to a Florida state championship in his first year. Soon after, Bridgewater, 32, announced he wanted to return to the NFL as a backup.
“Just to be able to add somebody back here that’s got experience,” Campbell said. “He’s staying in shape, he’s been throwing. Just (going to) get him worked back in here a little bit.
“It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence. Somebody that’s great for our team. He’s great for the position.”
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) warms up ahead of the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
Bridgewater knows Lions
Bridgewater did not throw a pass during his time in Detroit and took one kneel down at the end of a game before moving into coaching. He earned a reputation as a valuable veteran mentor for young players on the offense such as wide receiver Jameson Williams, and also helped prepare Goff during the week.
“It’s great for our team,” Campbell said. “I think everybody in that locker room respects Teddy and what he stands for and type of human being he is, but also type of player.
“Whenever he gets his sea legs back under him, he’s going to test those guys a little bit defensively, which is good in practice.”
Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell added: “I think I just said it really, he’s a great resource for Jared, the other young quarterbacks Jake (Fromm) and Hendon (Hooker), and he is a professional. He works hard, he prepares as if he is the starter and that’s what you want. And he’s just great to be around. He’s got some great stories and he just brightens up that room quite a bit and adds some experience.”
Bridgewater is a nine-year NFL veteran with 65 starts in his career dating back to 2014. He was drafted as the quarterback of the future for the Minnesota Vikings, but he had a knee injury during training camp in 2016 that altered the course of his career.
Bridgewater returned as a backup late in the 2017 season and has 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 longstanding connections helped him arrive in Detroit in 2023.
Back from high school job
In his first year as a high school coach, Bridgewater went 12-2 and won the Florida 3A state championship 41-0. He is expected to join the quarterback room behind Goff and alongside backups Hendon Hooker and Jake Fromm.
Campbell said the move isn’t supposed to be an indictment on Hooker, who has played sparingly during blowouts as Goff’s backup this season. He said it was an additive for both the locker room and position group to bring back one of Hooker’s mentors.
“(Hooker) has improved, he really has,” Campbell said. “We feel like every week, he’s gotten a little bit better and this does not mean that Hooker is out. That’s not what this means. If it comes to that, Hooker is going to play for us but Teddy probably will too.
“So, I understand what it looks like but it’s just a different world that we’re getting ready to walk into. And we felt like this is the right thing to do, especially with somebody that I have a tremendous amount of trust with and for. He understands our offense well, the coaches know him well and he brings a certain level of comfort for us.”
The Lions have clinched a playoff spot already at 13-2 and are battling the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC North title and NFC’s No. 1 seed.
“Looking forward to seeing Teddy,” Brunell said. He’s great. He helped us tremendously, tremendously last year. Great teammate, professional. Experienced.
“You name it. Great resource for Jared and the other quarterbacks. I think he’s in the building somewhere. I can’t wait to see him.”
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