Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will come out of retirement to join the Detroit Lions, coach Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday.
He would provide experience and depth behind starter Jared Goff as the Lions (13-2) chase the first overall seed in the NFC playoffs. Hendon Hooker, a third-round pick in 2023, is Goff's current backup.
Bridgewater, 32, appeared in one game (three plays) for the Lions last season. He announced his retirement in February and spent the 2024 season coaching his alma mater Miami Northwestern High School to a Class 3A Florida state championship.
He apparently had a big impact on rising wide receiver Jameson Williams.
“Teddy came in and got my mind focused on what I needed to do,” Williams told Detroit's Fox affiliate during training camp. “I was in the wrong place. Teddy came in and helped me a lot.
“He just came in and told me, 'You do this, you do that,' how to do it, how to do this… He just helped me in so many ways, man. Off the field I couldn't even explain how much he helped me. I think that was perhaps the turning point.”
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) during a preseason game in 2023
Now Bridgewater is ready to return to the Motor City.
Minnesota's first-round pick in 2014 and a Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings in 2015, Bridgewater also played for the New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021) and Miami Dolphins (2022). . ) before joining the Lions in 2023.
Bridgewater owns a 33-32 record as a starting quarterback, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 15,120 yards with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in 79 games. He also ran for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Campbell told reporters Thursday that Bridgewater adds “professionalism” to the roster heading into the postseason. Campbell said the move is not due to a lack of confidence in Hooker, adding that the playoffs are “a different world.”
Detroit visits San Francisco (6-9) on Monday night before ending the regular season with an NFC North matchup against the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) in Week 18.
Bridgewater, in his first season as coach at Miami Northwestern High, led the Bulls to the Florida Class 3A state title. The Bulls defeated Jacksonville Raines High 41-0 on December 15 in the championship game.
“It's great to be back on top,” Bridgewater said after leading the Bulls to their eighth state championship.
Campbell says Bridgewater adds 'professionalism' to roster heading into postseason
His team finished the season 12-2, outscoring its five playoff opponents by a combined score of 262-12.
Bridgewater went to college at Louisville before playing in the NFL with six franchises over nine seasons. He finished his career with 15,120 yards and 75 touchdown passes.
Born and raised in Miami, Bridgewater started as quarterback for Miami Northwestern from 2008 to 2010, recording more than 5,000 passing yards and leading the Bulls to the state finals as a sophomore.
He became one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country before having a successful college career at Louisville. Minnesota selected Bridgewater with the 32nd pick in the 2014 NFL draft, and he spent three years there before a horrific knee injury nearly ended his career.