The Detroit Lions have signed a familiar quarterback to the roster for the playoff run.
NFL Network reported Thursday that former Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is signing with the Detroit Lions. 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.
Bridgewater spent the 2024 season as the coach of Miami Northwestern and led his school to a state championship in his first year in charge. After winning the state championship, Bridgewater, 32, announced his intentions to try to make a return to the NFL as a backup.
Bridgewater returns to 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.
Bridgewater is a 9-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.
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.
The Lions have clinched a playoff spot already at 13-2 and are battling the Minnesota Vikings for the division and NFC's 1-seed.