Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement to rejoin 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 No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs. Hendon Hooker, a third-round pick in 2023, is Goff's current backup.
![[Campbell says Bridgewater adds 'professionalism' to the roster going into the postseason]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/20/93501831-0-image-a-30_1735243398775.jpg)
Bridgewater, 32, appeared in one game (three snaps) 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 he got my mind so focused on what I needed to do,' Williams told Detroit's Fox affiliate during training camp. 'I was in a wrong place. Teddy came in and he helped me so much, man. 'He just came in, told me, ''You do this, you do that,'' how to do it, how to do this… He just helped me in a lot [of ways], man. Off the field, I couldn't even explain how much he helped me. I think that was maybe the turning point.'.
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) during a preseason game in 2023. Now Bridgewater is set to return to the Motor City. A first-round pick by Minnesota 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.
