Lions validate Teddy Bridgewater finalizing (1:00)
Dan Campbell verifies that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is unretiring and signing with the Lions. (1:00)
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ESPN
Dec 26, 2024, 01:08 PM ET
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has actually come out of retirement and signed with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, weeks after he coached his high school university to a state champion.
Lions coach Dan Campbell stated Bridgewater’s return does not suggest the group is dissatisfied with present backup quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Bridgewater had actually stated recently that he wished to go back to the NFL after training Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his university, to the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title previously this month.
“My group understands that’s the strategy. We wished to win a state champion and after that Coach returns to the league, see what occurs, and after that return February in the offseason, continue training high school football. We’ll see how it plays out,” he informed NFL Network’s “The Insiders” recently.
A source informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Thursday that Bridgewater has actually gotten NFL training questions in current weeks however that he wishes to attempt to win a champion as a gamer before captivating those chances.
Bridgewater, 32, invested last season as the Lions’ backup quarterback behind starter Jared Goff.
Campbell stated that he has actually touched with Bridgewater “for a while” which re-signing him was constantly a possibility due to the fact that of Bridgewater’s management and familiarity with the system. The Lions company has a significant quantity of rely on Bridgewater and has actually followed him throughout his high school training journey this year.
“It simply brings a level of professionalism, veteran existence, someone that’s terrific for our group, he’s fantastic for the position,” Campbell stated.
“Doesn’t indicate we’re dissatisfied in Hooker. That’s not what this suggests. It simply suggests this provides us someone that’s played a lot in the NFL. We’re preparing for the playoffs, therefore it’ll be great to get him back in the fold with us.”
The Lions have actually continued to establish Hooker, who has actually “enhanced,” according to Campbell. Hooker has actually found out under Goff after ending up being the Lions’ highest-drafted quarterback given that Matthew Stafford went No. 1 in 2009. Hooker was chosen as the 68th total choice in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Campbell stated he feels that the addition of Bridgewater is “excellent” for the group, not just on the field, however in practices, as well, with his friendly temperament and numerous years of experience that fit well with gamers.
“This does not indicate that Hooker is out. That’s not what this indicates. If it concerns that, Hooker’s going to bet us, however Teddy most likely will, too,” Campbell stated. “So, I comprehend what it appears like, however it’s simply a various world that we’re preparing yourself to stroll into,
