Teddy Bridgewater is set to rejoin the Detroit Lions.
The seasoned quarterback is coming out of retirement and is expected to sign with the Lions, according to NFL Media reports on Thursday. At 32 years old, Bridgewater previously served as a backup to Jared Goff during the 2023 season.
After his time with Detroit, Bridgewater chose to retire and take on a coaching role at Miami Northwestern High School for the 2024 season. Under his guidance, the team clinched the Florida Class 3A state title, which fueled his desire to return to the NFL for the final stretch of the season.
“Coach Teddy, hopefully, we’ll see how these next week and a half, two weeks play out, might be signing with a team or something,” he told NFL Media on December 17. “And then returning back to coach high school football in February. So, we’ll see.”
“That’s the plan,” he added when asked about his potential comeback. “My team knows that’s the plan. We wanted to win a state championship, and then Coach goes back to the league, see what happens, and then come back in February in the offseason to continue coaching high school football. So we’ll see how it plays out.”
The Lions currently do not have an urgent need for a quarterback, as Goff is healthy and performing well this season. However, should anything happen to Goff, the next option would be Hendon Hooker, a second-year quarterback who has seen limited action since being drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bridgewater’s experience will be an asset for Detroit, offering a reliable backup if Goff is unable to play. With a decade of experience in the league, he has played for teams like the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins. His career record stands at 33 wins and 32 losses as a starter, although he has not started a game since 2022 with the Dolphins, where he went 0-2.
The Lions are currently enjoying a successful season with a record of 13-2 and have the opportunity to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a victory over the San Francisco 49ers, combined with a loss by the Minnesota Vikings this weekend.
